Off-Duty NYPD Officer Shoots Armed Robbery Suspect at Penn Station
NEW YORK — A tense confrontation unfolded in one of New York City’s busiest commuter hubs Wednesday evening when an off-duty NYPD officer shot a man who allegedly attempted to rob her and her husband inside Penn Station, according to law enforcement sources.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. as the officer and her husband — also an off-duty NYPD officer — were making their way home through the crowded Midtown station. Authorities say the couple was approached by a 32-year-old man who allegedly attempted to rob them.
According to preliminary reports, the situation escalated quickly when the suspect confronted the pair and attempted to take their belongings. In response, the off-duty officer discharged her firearm, striking the suspect. Witnesses described chaos as the sound of gunfire rang out in the busy terminal, sending commuters scrambling for cover.
Emergency medical personnel rushed to the scene, and the suspect was transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition. No other injuries were immediately reported, though the shooting temporarily disrupted foot traffic and heightened security concerns in the station.
The NYPD confirmed that their Force Investigation Division and transit police are reviewing surveillance video and interviewing witnesses to determine the exact sequence of events. Officials have not yet stated whether the suspect was armed, though the attempted robbery is being treated as a criminal investigation.
Commuters who witnessed the scene described moments of panic. “Everyone started running when they heard the shot,” said one bystander. “It was terrifying — Penn Station is always packed at that hour, and no one knew what was happening.”
Authorities stressed that both officers involved identified themselves immediately following the incident and remained at the scene to cooperate with responding units. NYPD leadership has stated that the officer’s use of her weapon will be subject to a full review, which is standard procedure in all police-involved shootings.
The shooting has reignited conversations about safety in New York City transit hubs. With thousands of commuters passing through Penn Station daily, many expressed concern about rising incidents of theft, robbery, and violence in public spaces. City officials emphasized that the station remains safe and heavily patrolled, noting that this was an isolated incident.
The suspect’s identity has not yet been released, and charges are pending as the investigation continues.
For now, the off-duty officer and her husband, though shaken, were unharmed. The NYPD has underscored their commitment to transparency in the investigation and to ensuring that all use-of-force protocols were followed appropriately.
As commuters returned to their routines later in the evening, the shooting served as a stark reminder of the risks officers face both on and off duty — and of how quickly danger can erupt in even the busiest and most familiar corners of New York City.
