The “dangerous criminal” who was shot dead by New York cops after opening fire – a Bronx officer was hit – died early Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
Ramik Smith, 25, died at St. Barnabas Hospital around 3:30 a.m., cops said.
The shootout took place after police officer Dennis Vargas, who works for the Bronx’s public safety team, and his partner spotted the suspect walking near 3rd Avenue and Claremont Parkway around 10:45 p.m., according to Detective Chief James Essig.
After 32-year-old Vargas and his uniformed partner got out of their unmarked car, Smith fled on foot, officials said.
The two cops were chasing, and after a block and a half chase, Smith turned onto Bathgate Avenue and allegedly fired two shots at the cops, hitting Vargas. Officers returned fire, hitting Smith in the head, police and sources said.
Sources said Smith was initially stopped because he appeared to be carrying a weapon.
Cops gather at the scene of a police incident involving a shooting on Bathgate Ave. and Claremont Parkway in the Bronx. William C. Lopez / NYPOST
Vargas, an eight-year veteran whose father-in-law is also a cop, was taken to Lincoln Medical Center in stable condition and released hours later.
“We are extremely happy this morning that our officer is recovering from being shot by a dangerous criminal who should not have been on the streets of the Bronx or anywhere else,” tweeted New York Police Commissioner Kichant Sewell. “New York City police officers are here for New Yorkers day and night – risking their lives without hesitation.
Smith’s last known address was a homeless shelter on Castleton Avenue in Staten Island, but he has a family that lives nearby in the Bronx, Esig said.
Officials investigate the scene of the shooting on May 11, 2022. William C. Lopez / NYPOST
Police Commissioner Kitchent Sewell called Smith “a dangerous criminal who should not have been on the streets of the Bronx or anywhere else.”
He was last arrested in March 2020 at Coney Island Subway Station. He was allegedly found with a gun after he was stopped for evading a charge and charged with criminal possession of a weapon, officials and sources said.
He was also convicted of robbery in 2016 and given a five-year probation period, officials said.
Smith pleaded guilty last December to a gun case and was acquitted pending a sentence that was twice suspended. He is due to return to court in June, officials said.
Mayor Eric Adams called the Smith case an excellent example of why he is pushing for reform.
“People want to ask why I’m struggling to avoid taxis.” That’s why. People want to ask why we did 300,000 checks at the station. That’s why.”
“People want to ask why we are pushing for reform?” Hizoner continued. “That’s why. That’s what we’re facing.”
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