A gun-wielding assault suspect was shot and killed Tuesday by members of a joint NYPD-federal task force inside a Manhattan eyeglass store after a “violent struggle,” police said .
The suspect, identified by sources as Devon Allen, 25, was shot at least three times around 2:45 p.m. after brandishing a gun inside Maximeyes Optical in Chelsea, NYPD Chief of Detectives said, Joseph Kenny, during a press briefing.
Allen, who was wanted for assault earlier this month, was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, Kenny said.
An NYPD lieutenant, an NYPD detective and a Homeland Security investigator were canvassing the area before spotting the suspect standing outside the business, Kenny said.
“The man then fled into this commercial establishment he was in front of. Inside the store, members of the task force attempted to place him under arrest and a violent struggle ensued,” Kenny said.
“The man pulled out a gun and task force members fired their weapons several times, striking the man.”
During the encounter, a task force member suffered a gash to the head and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, Kenny said.
A .40-caliber Bersa firearm that the suspect was believed to have been carrying was found at the scene, police said.
Authorities were looking for Allen after he allegedly hit a deli employee with a jar of jelly during a fight on April 7, police sources said.
He previously served prison time in upstate New York for attempted murder between 2018 and 2020, records show.
“He is very familiar with law enforcement in this community,” said Kenny, who added that police would investigate whether the suspect was part of a gang.
Calls to Maximeyes Optical, where the shooting took place, went to voicemail Tuesday evening.
New York Post
