NYPD rookie, 22, in critical condition after he ‘shot himself in staff locker room’
A New York City police officer reportedly shot himself in the locker room after less than a year on the job.
The male officer, 22, has been transferred to Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx after allegedly suffering from self-inflicted gunshot wounds inside the locker room at the 47th Precinct around 11am on Tuesday.
He is in critical condition after the bullet hit his cheek, but he expected to live. A source told DailyMail.com that the bullet did not hit the officer’s brain.
The source also said that police put the officer in the back of a cruiser and drove him to the hospital.
Nine law enforcement officers, eight men and one woman, have been lost to suicide so far this year across the country, according to data collected by Blue H.E.L.P. Last year, the total rose to a disturbing 154, up from 141 the year previous.
The officer, 22, allegedly shot himself inside the locker room at the 47th Precinct (pictured)
He is in critical condition after the bullet hit his cheek, but he expected to live. A source told DailyMail.com that the bullet did not hit the officer’s brain
The NYPD has already seen two suicides within its rank this year. There have been nine suicides of law enforcement officers across the country so far this year
Mayor Eric Adams spoke about the incident at an unrelated press conference, saying: ‘I communicated earlier with the police commissioner [Keechant Sewell] and our hearts and prayers are with his family.’
The NYPD has already seen two suicides within its rank this year. An officer jumped to his death from the LeFrak City Apartments in Queens on January 10 and another shot himself in a car in Brookville Park, Queens, on January 20.
Steven Hernandez was pronounced dead at Lefrak City Apartments in Flushing, Queens, shortly before 12.30pm on January 10. Hernandez belonged to the 121th Precinct in Staten Island. It’s unclear whether he lived in the building, or if he was visiting the Medical Division which is housed there.
More than 150 law enforcement officers died by suicide in 2022, proceeded by 141 in 2021, and 145 in 2020
Hernandez was a six-year veteran, having joined the force in 2017. He was transferred to the 121st Precinct last year.
On social media, he showed signs of struggling with mental health.
Hernandez frequently referred to his ‘racing thoughts’ and seeking a therapist.
Firefighters and police officers are more like to die by suicide than any other profession in the line of duty.
There have already been 9 suicides among first responders in the US this year. Followed by 154 in 2022, 141 in 2021, and 145 in 2020. Between 2017 and 2022, 185 to 250 first responders have died per year, according to Blue H.E.L.P.
Steven Hernandez was pronounced dead at Lefrak City Apartments in Flushing, Queens, shortly before 12.30pm on January 10
He jumped to his death at Lefrak City Apartments in Flushing, Queens (pictured)
In addition, male first responders died by suicide at significantly higher rates than their female counterparts. Out of the 186 deaths in 2022, 168 of them were committed by males and only 18 by female.
In the last six years, the number of female first responders who have committed suicide has never reached more than 21, compared to males at 228, according to data collected by Blue H.E.L.P.
Among the record deaths, it was found that police officers had an average of nearly 16.5 years of service among those who took their own life. Firefighters had an average of 14.77, correctional officers averaged 11.31, EMS averaged 10.83, and dispatchers averaged three years of service.
If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 988.
