Armed robber hits two NYPD sergeants with the same bullet. They still arrested him.

NEW YORK, NY - Two New York Police Department (NYPD) sergeants are expected to make a full recovery after sustaining gunshot wounds while attempting to arrest a man suspected of stealing purses at gunpoint Thursday. According to reports, the suspect was successfully taken into custody.

According to CBS News, NYPD officers were summoned to a building in Chinatown near Canal Street in Manhattan on a report of a man committing armed robbery against multiple women stealing their purses. When officers arrived at the building where an alleged mahjong parlor operates, the officers were told by the victims that the man had fled. Armed with a description, the officers began to canvas the area surrounding the establishment.

Approximately seven minutes later police located a suspect fitting the description, later identified as Joshua Dorsett, 22, a known gang member. Two sergeants attempted to detain him when he pulled a gun on them. 
 

Witness Francisco Huayta described the interaction to CBS, saying, "They had him on top of the car, three of them, and then the guy still has his hand down here, so they put him on the top of the car, and then I heard the shots, boom boom."

As the officers struggled with Dorsett, he reportedly fired at least once, striking one sergeant in the groin and grazing the second. The injured officers were able to successfully subdue the gunman and recovered his .45 caliber pistol. The officers were then transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters, "He produces a firearm and announces a robbery. He pointed at numerous women and begins to steal their purses."

“When two uniformed sergeants, one from the 5th Precinct and one from the 7th Precinct, stop Dorsett, he begins to pull a loaded firearm out of his front pants pocket. A struggle begins for the possession of the gun between Dorsett and the two sergeants, and a shot is fired by the perpetrator,” Chief Kenny said according to AMNY. “One sergeant is struck in the groin, and one is struck in the left leg. We have one bullet that hit both cops.”

NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban told the press that both of the sergeants were in good spirits. He said, "Yet again, your officers confronted a violent criminal who had no problem carrying an illegal gun on our streets, and as a result, two of our officers are in the hospital with gunshot wounds, and they're lucky to be alive."

Mayor Eric Adams noted that the NYPD officers did not fire their weapons during the arrest.

Sergeant Christopher Leap, 34, suffered a grazing wound and was released Thursday. Caban shared footage of Leap's release in a post to X writing, "Today was yet another reminder of the dangers NYC police officers face in their daily efforts to keep our city safe. We’re thankful one of our officers is leaving the hospital to continue recovering at home."

Today was yet another reminder of the dangers NYC police officers face in their daily efforts to keep our city safe.

We’re thankful one of our officers is leaving the hospital to continue recovering at home.

Thank you to @BellevueHosp for the superb care they give our… pic.twitter.com/JJInvs3Keb

— Edward A. Caban (@NYPDPC) August 2, 2024

Sgt. Carl Johnson, a 43-year-old with 16 years on the force, suffered the shot through the groin and is being held overnight.

Grateful for NYPD Sergeants Carl Johnson and Christopher Leap from Suffolk, who were injured protecting bystanders in a Chinatown robbery.

Chris is home from the hospital, and Carl is expected to be home soon. Prayers for all our brave officers. https://t.co/sgDJOhd61v

— Congressman Nick LaLota (@RepLaLota) August 2, 2024

In a post to X, Congressman Nick LaLota (R-NY) praised the officers writing, "Grateful for NYPD Sergeants Carl Johnson and Christopher Leap from Suffolk, who were injured protecting bystanders in a Chinatown robbery. Chris is home from the hospital, and Carl is expected to be home soon. Prayers for all our brave officers."

Assemblymember Alec Book-Krasny (R-NY) similarly observed, "Once again, the NYPD has proven why they are called 'The Finest.' We offer our profound gratitude and prayers for the full recovery of two Sergeants who suffered gunshot wounds arresting an armed suspect on Canal Street yesterday. We are grateful to the amazing team at Bellevue Hospital for their quick action. God Bless the NYPD and our law enforcement community who are the heroes of our City and serve every day to protect all New Yorkers."

AMNY News reported that Dorsett, allegedly a member of the "Up the Hill Gang" is being charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, attempted murder while in commission of a crime, criminal possession of a weapon, and five counts robbery. 

PBA president Patrick Hendry said in a statement, "We’re grateful that our sergeant brothers are on the road to recovery and the shooter is in custody. But this is yet another repeat offender who thought he could attack police officers and escape justice. We have been in courtroom after courtroom across this city, demanding real consequences for violence against police officers. Our justice system needs to start delivering those consequences – not just when the spotlight is on, but every single time."