EMT Credited With Disarming Cop Shooter

NEW YORK—A seven year veteran of the NYPD was shot in the foot at Harlem Hospital early Monday morning, and an EMT is credited with saving the day.

“Thankfully Officer Gomez’s injuries are non-life threatening,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement. “He is alert, treated and has already been released.”

Police officers Fausto Gomez and John Chiodi responded to a 911 call at 4:55 a.m. regarding an assault-in-progress.

Suspect Guiteau Idore, 42, was handcuffed and placed in the back of an ambulance with EMT Brendon Hernandez. When they arrived at Harlem Hospital, Idore tried running away.

Idore removed Officer Chiodi’s service weapon and fired twice, shooting Gomez once in the left foot. Hernandez quickly pulled the gun from Idore’s hand and removed the bullets.

“He [Hernandez] did an outstanding job,” NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly in a statement. “We understand that EMT Hernandez has aspirations of becoming a New York City Police Officer, and he certainly demonstrated that he has what it takes to do the job.”

Gomez was treated and released. The suspect, Idore, who has an extensive arrest history—including assault, menacing, and numerous domestic violence incidents—was sent to Metropolitan Hospital for psychiatric evaluation.