Suspect dead after allegedly stabbing roommate, lunging at cops

March 24, 2013 Heather Chin

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A 28-year-old man is dead after being shot by police who were responding to a report that he had stabbed his 53-year-old roommate inside an apartment near 541 Court Street, one block south of West 9th Street, on Friday night, March 22.

The man, whose identity has not been released pending family notification, allegedly stabbed his roommate in the shoulder during an argument, after which the victim took refuge inside Zen Spa and called 9-1-1.

When officers responded, shortly after 8 p.m., they and the victim allegedly spotted the suspect “approaching with a knife in his hand.” Police report that instead of dropping his weapon as ordered, he “lunged at the officers,” resulting in them shooting him in the torso.

The suspect was pronounced dead on arrival at Lutheran Medical Center, where the victim received treatment for his stab wound. The officers, who are from the 76th Precinct, reported suffering from tinnitus – a ringing in the ears – and were taken to Long Island College Hospital for treatment.

The knife was recovered at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.