Sunday, June 8, 1997
A rookie cop was in stable condition yesterday after four hours of surgery to repair a bullet wound suffered in a Bronx shootout that left a robbery suspect dead.
Police Officer Washington Zurita — on his first unsupervised patrol — was struck in the left arm, but managed to fire his 9-mm. pistol at Lavaughn Knowings, killing him.
The officers followed their training to the letter and saved innocent lives, Mayor Giuliani said.
The incident began around 8 p.m. Friday when Zurita, 28, and fellow rookie cop Robert Caralyus, 30, were flagged down by robbery victims.
Knowings allegedly robbed four people at 1190 Shakespeare Ave. The victims followed Knowings and hailed the officers when he ducked into a building near 167th St.
The officers found Knowings on an elevator with building residents, and ordered him out. Knowings responded by firing a shot at the officers, wounding Zurita.
Original Story Date: 060897
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