Two New York police officers shot in gun battle; suspect in custody

Two New York police officers were shot during a Wednesday night gun battle in The Bronx.

Both officers are expected to recover from their wounds.

The officers encountered the suspect while responding to a report of a man with a gun, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea told reporters. When police approached the suspect, he opened fire on the two officers, Shea said.

One of the officers, a woman with one year on the force, was shot twice. The other, a man with eight years on the job, was hit once, Shea said.

The female officer, who also is in the Air Force Reserve, returned fire, and hit the suspect. 

“We have two incredibly brave police officers doing their job," Shea said at a Wednesday night press briefing. "And not complaining a bit right now, as they’re laying recovering in the hospital, eager to get back to work, and loving what they do serving the people in New York City.”

Shea called the suspect a “career criminal” and said the firearm he used was reported stolen last year in Georgia. The suspect is in custody, and is expected to recover, He also said.