photo by Stephen Mandel Joseph
A gunman was shot by police early Saturday morning after what could have turned into a bloodbath outside a popular bar and lounge in Queens.
A 911 call was placed for a dispute with weapons in front of the RRR Bar and Lounge, located at 87-18 Liberty Avenue, where a 32-year-old male victim was shot in the left foot by a 38-year-old male suspect.
Members of the 106 Precinct Anti-Crime team, consisting of one sergeant and three police officers, all in plain clothes, in the immediate vicinity, were driving past the location, when they observed the 32-year-old victim involved in a physical altercation with the 38-year-old suspect.
As the officers exited their unmarked police vehicle, they observed the victim and suspect fighting for control of a firearm.
The officers ordered the suspect to drop the firearm. But when the suspect refused the officer’s demands, the officers discharged their firearms. The suspect, later identified as Anthony Vega, was shot in the torso and arm.
Both the victim and suspect were taken to Jamaica Hospital, and later listed in stable condition.
The suspect’s 9mm firearm was recovered at the scene. A knife was also recovered by the police at the location.
Chief of Patrol Rodney Harrison later told reporters.at the scene, “The individual that was shot in the foot seemed to do a heroic act by getting involved in stopping the individual from shooting other people that were coming outside the establishment,”
An early morning bystander speaking to reporters complained that noise and violence was frequent at the bar. “I don’t know why it’s still open,” she said. “There are always fights. It’s always in the news.”
Harrison confirmed to reporters that the bar is well known to their precinct and has received numerous complaints of noise and fights in the past.
