A gun-wielding assault suspect was shot dead Tuesday by members of a joint NYPD-federal task force inside a Manhattan eyeglasses store after a “violent struggle,” police said.
The suspect, identified by sources as 25-year-old Devon Allen, was shot at least three times around 2:45 p.m. after he flashed a gun inside Maximeyes Optical in Chelsea, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said during a press briefing.
Allen, who was wanted for an assault earlier this month, was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, Kenny said.
An NYPD lieutenant, NYPD detective and a Homeland Security investigator were scouring the nearby area before they spotted the suspect standing outside the business, Kenny said.
“The male then fled into this commercial establishment that he was standing in front of. While inside the store, members of the task force attempted to place him under arrest and a violent struggle ensued,” Kenny said.
“The male produced a gun and members of the task force discharged their weapons several times, striking the male.”
During the encounter, one task force member suffered a gash to the head and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, Kenny said.
A 40-caliber Bersa firearm the suspect was allegedly carrying was recovered at the scene, police said.
Authorities were looking for Allen after he allegedly smacked a deli worker with a jelly jar during a fight on April 7, law enforcement sources said.
He previously served prison time in upstate New York for attempted murder between 2018 and 2020, records show.
“He is very familiar with law enforcement in this community,” said Kenny, who added police would investigate if the suspect was part of a gang.
Calls to Maximeyes Optical, where the shooting took place, went to voicemail Tuesday evening.
