In a dramatic incident on Tuesday, a police officer in Long Island, New York, used his patrol vehicle to neutralize an armed man who was allegedly threatening officers and bystanders at a busy intersection near a 7-Eleven store.
The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Brooklyn resident Kiber Calderon, was reportedly waving a pistol and aiming it at drivers and police officers around 2:20 p.m.
Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder revealed in a news briefing on Wednesday that Calderon, who also uses the alias of a 33-year-old woman named Hanna Carillo, had been arrested twice in June in New York City but was released under a "no-bail" policy. Despite the suspect's alias and attire, Calderon identified as male during police interviews, Ryder added.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman lauded the quick-thinking officer's actions, which resulted in only minor injuries to the suspect and effectively ended the crisis. "In this case, it was somewhat ingenious that this officer took the action that he took," Blakeman said. "You had a subject that was pointing a gun at public, discharged the firearm on a public street, pointed the firearm at police officers and then pointed the firearm at his head, which obviously meant that he might have committed suicide had not the police officer taken swift and effective action."
Footage of the incident shows Calderon walking sideways through the intersection of Jerusalem Avenue and Bellmore Avenue in North Bellmore, pointing the gun at his own head moments before a marked SUV swerves into view and knocks him to the ground with the front fender. Other officers swiftly arrived at the scene, secured the gun, and took control of the situation.
Nassau County police confirmed that they recovered a loaded gun from the scene. Calderon was arrested on nine charges, including menacing, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession of a weapon and drugs. At the time of his arrest, Calderon was already facing charges of second- and third-degree burglary and trespassing in New York City.
Calderon, who suffered minor injuries in the incident, is expected to appear in court following his release from the hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment for physical injuries and a psychological evaluation. The officer involved in the incident was also hospitalized for trauma and is currently on sick leave, according to Commissioner Ryder.
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