Officer Wounded, Suspect Dead Following Gunfire Exchange In South Bronx

A 25-year-old man died Wednesday after a shootout with NYPD officers in the South Bronx, which wounded one officer, Tuesday night.

At approximately 10:45 p.m., two uniformed police officers on patrol approached the suspect, later identified as Rameek Smith, on 3rd Ave and Claremont Pkwy.

The suspect gave chase westbound on Claremont Pkwy and then northbound on Bathgave Ave. After the block-and-a-half foot pursuit, the suspect wheeled around and fired two shots at the police, striking one officer in the arm.

The officers returned fire, striking Smith in the head once. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead.

Officer Dennis Vargas, 32, was transported to the hospital in good condition and has since been released. Video released by the NYPD showed the officer leaving the hospital.

Officers recovered a pistol used in the gunfight at the crime scene that was reported stolen from Virginia.

A 25-year-old man died Wednesday after a shootout with NYPD officers in the South Bronx, which wounded one officer, Tuesday night.

At approximately 10:45 p.m., two uniformed police officers on patrol approached the suspect, later identified as Rameek Smith, on 3rd Ave and Claremont Pkwy.

The suspect gave chase westbound on Claremont Pkwy and then northbound on Bathgave Ave. After the block-and-a-half foot pursuit, the suspect wheeled around and fired two shots at the police, striking one officer in the arm.

The officers returned fire, striking Smith in the head once. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead.

Officer Dennis Vargas, 32, was transported to the hospital in good condition and has since been released. Video released by the NYPD showed the officer leaving the hospital.

Officers recovered a pistol used in the gunfight at the crime scene that was reported stolen from Virginia.

A 25-year-old man died Wednesday after a shootout with NYPD officers in the South Bronx, which wounded one officer, Tuesday night.

At approximately 10:45 p.m., two uniformed police officers on patrol approached the suspect, later identified as Rameek Smith, on 3rd Ave and Claremont Pkwy.

The suspect gave chase westbound on Claremont Pkwy and then northbound on Bathgave Ave. After the block-and-a-half foot pursuit, the suspect wheeled around and fired two shots at the police, striking one officer in the arm.

The officers returned fire, striking Smith in the head once. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead.

Officer Dennis Vargas, 32, was transported to the hospital in good condition and has since been released. Video released by the NYPD showed the officer leaving the hospital.

Officers recovered a pistol used in the gunfight at the crime scene that was reported stolen from Virginia.

A 25-year-old man died Wednesday after a shootout with NYPD officers in the South Bronx, which wounded one officer, Tuesday night.

At approximately 10:45 p.m., two uniformed police officers on patrol approached the suspect, later identified as Rameek Smith, on 3rd Ave and Claremont Pkwy.

The suspect gave chase westbound on Claremont Pkwy and then northbound on Bathgave Ave. After the block-and-a-half foot pursuit, the suspect wheeled around and fired two shots at the police, striking one officer in the arm.

The officers returned fire, striking Smith in the head once. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead.

Officer Dennis Vargas, 32, was transported to the hospital in good condition and has since been released. Video released by the NYPD showed the officer leaving the hospital.

Officers recovered a pistol used in the gunfight at the crime scene that was reported stolen from Virginia.

A 25-year-old man died Wednesday after a shootout with NYPD officers in the South Bronx, which wounded one officer, Tuesday night.

At approximately 10:45 p.m., two uniformed police officers on patrol approached the suspect, later identified as Rameek Smith, on 3rd Ave and Claremont Pkwy.

The suspect gave chase westbound on Claremont Pkwy and then northbound on Bathgave Ave. After the block-and-a-half foot pursuit, the suspect wheeled around and fired two shots at the police, striking one officer in the arm.

The officers returned fire, striking Smith in the head once. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead.

Officer Dennis Vargas, 32, was transported to the hospital in good condition and has since been released. Video released by the NYPD showed the officer leaving the hospital.

Officers recovered a pistol used in the gunfight at the crime scene that was reported stolen from Virginia.