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NYPD officer killed by friendly fire responding to a robbery; second officer also struck

Posted at 7:03 PM, Feb 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-12 23:08:55-05

A New York City police officer was shot and killed on Tuesday, and another officer was wounded, after responding to a robbery in the borough of Queens, NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill confirmed.

According to WABC-TV, the incident took place at 6 p.m. ET local near a T-Mobile store.

New York City Police identified the fallen officer as NYPD Detective Brian Simonsen, a 42-year-old, 19-year member of the NYPD. O'Neill said that Simonsen was likely killed by friendly fire.

"It was heartbreaking to see," NYC mayor Bill de Blasio said. "The shock that they are feeling was so painful to see."

A second officer, Sgt. Matthew Gorman, was struck by friendly fire, and reportedly expected to survive.

An imitation gun belonging to the suspect was recovered on the scene.

NYPD officials said that a suspect was shot multiple times and was critically wounded.