A suspected gang member, Joshua Dorsett, was involved in a robbery at a mahjong parlor in Lower East Side, where he shot and wounded two NYPD sergeants. Dorsett, who is a member of the Up the Hill gang, was out on probation for a crack cocaine case at the time of the incident. The robber, captured on video, was seen stealing purses at gunpoint before being confronted by the sergeants. In the struggle that followed, Dorsett fired a shot that injured both officers.
Both injured cops were taken to Bellevue Hospital, where one was released after treatment, while the other remained hospitalized with a bullet fragment in his thigh. Dorsett, clad in a t-shirt and pajama pants, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and assault. He had a history of prior arrests, including for selling crack cocaine to an undercover cop.
The motive for the robbery was identified as theft, not related to gang activity. Police commended the officers for their bravery in responding to the armed robbery. Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Edward Caban praised the officers for their courage in facing danger to protect the city. The Police Benevolent Association called for stricter consequences for those who attack law enforcement officers.
The incident highlighted the risks faced by police officers in the line of duty and the need for support from the justice system. The ongoing feud between Up the Hill and Down the Hill gangs added complexity to the case, but the primary focus was on the robbery committed by Dorsett. The quick response and apprehension of the suspect by law enforcement demonstrated their commitment to ensuring public safety and holding offenders accountable for their actions.
