2 NYPD officers shot in Brooklyn after responding to domestic violence call; suspect in custody

BROOKLYN - A massive police presence Tuesday afternoon lined Bergen Street in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn after two veteran NYPD officers were shot, officials said.

The officers were responding to a 911 call just after 3 p.m. from a mother with a head injury, telling police she was being physically assaulted by her son, 39-year-old Melvin Butler.

According to police, when officers attempted to arrest Butler, he grabbed one of their guns and shot one in his left hand and the other in the left thigh. The violent encounter was caught on the officers’ body cams. Mayor Eric Adams could only characterize the shooting as horrific.

"This was a horrific incident," Adams said. "Because of their actions, a dangerous person is apprehended, and we have two officers that will be going home to their families."

Ms. Fuller, a neighbor, saw and heard the commotion that sent her and her kids into an instant panic.

"The guy comes, and he lets off two rounds, and then he lets off four rounds, and it’s just like blood everywhere, and I have little kids that can barely make it inside my building with the kids, so I’m wondering what is going on here," she recounted.

Butler’s history with police includes six prior arrests, including one back in February of last year for domestic violence, followed by another in January.

The two veteran NYPD officers were shot Tuesday afternoon in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, officials said.

"We had a very violent and dangerous person that has a long record of violence, attempted to harm our police officers, but they responded accordingly," Adams said.

Authorities report Butler's more serious crime was 20 years ago for attempted murder, where he spent 15 years in state custody.

Both officers were treated and eventually released from Kings County Hospital.

"We are going to follow this case and make sure that this individual who shot two New York City police officers stays behind bars," officials shared.

Both officers were treated and released from Kings County Hospital. Butler, himself, was shot multiple times. He's listed in critical, but stable condition, at Brookdale Hospital.