Retired New York Police lieutenant Thomas Barnes took a break from his duties as a driver for hedge fund manager Philippe Laffont (pictured) last Friday, ……shooting and killing an armed robber in East Harlem, New York while gassing up his boss’ Mercedes SUV at the BP station at East 119th Street and First Avenue at around 11 a.m. Laffont was not in the vehicle at the time.
The suspect, Wyatt Rudolph, 23, and a second person, who was not apprehended, had just held up the Rx Center pharmacy, demanding cash and OxyContin pills, and was exchanging fire with three NYPD officers when Barnes gunned him down. As a former police officer, Barnes has a concealed carry permit for his handgun.
According to The New York Post, Rudolph was a known member of the Bloods street gang and went by the name “Booga.” He was a suspect in a shooting in Sandy Springs, Ga. last year, as well as a May 2010 shooting in New York. Police believe he may also have been involved in as many as four other robberies in the New York metro area.
According to reports, Barnes retired from the Brooklyn South gang division in 2005 after serving in the NYPD since 1984. His boss, Laffont, heads up the tech-focused hedge fund Coatue Management.
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Why does the NYPD feel comfortable firing shots in urban neighborhoods where the streets are full of shoppers/pedestrains. The same thing was done at the 145th St subway shooting with the platform full of people exiting the train station. Over 21 shots were fired in side that station.
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Blackcotton,
I think that we should do what we’re doing, which is to talk about these issues so that we can discuss them and create awareness. So that people know we’re watching, and create policy to not let it happen again.
Thank you,
HW
I live a couple of doors down from this pharmacy. This guy came out of the pharmacy door shooting, and continued to shoot behind him (not looking where he the gun was pointed). There were people on the street, it’s amazing no pedestrians were harmed. Shooting this guy was the only way to stop him. That could have easily been me running & ducking for my life. I’m sorry in this case, I say bravo to the police for doing what needed to be done.
Lola,
It’s so sad, and we’re glad that more people were not hurt.
Thank you,
HW
Sad crazy and corrupt world we live in….
Very true. We thank the spirits that it’s not the majority of the people in the world.
Thank you,
HW
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Every article I’ve read on this case has stated the suspect Wyatt Rudolph did have a weapon (Gun) but he did not let off any shots because his weapon jammed. Granted he was armed and committing a robbery… at what point do retired police officers decided that it is ok to shoot and kill? (He was actually working as a chauffeur) What would have happened had he shot someone innocent. Thank god he didn’t. When all facts state he never fired the weapon he was just pointing it. There are so many different angles of this shooting on various websites. It makes you question a lot about this case. When I searched his name it shows he wasn’t a gang member but in fact a member of a hip hop group called the East Army Ryders. He did have a criminal record for misdemeanors though none of which were gang related. A sad case still none the less. He was someone’s son regardless. May he rest in peace.