Here’s a follow-up on that overnight shootout near the Baruch Houses a week ago Sunday. The suspect, Luis Martinez, was charged yesterday with two counts each of first degree attempted murder, attempted assault and 2nd degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is being held without bail.
During a chase and shootout through the streets of the Lower East Side, police say Martinez fired at Housing Police officers Thomas Richards and Thomas Dunne. Bullet fragments were found in Richards’ magazine pouch; NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said it was a miracle Richards was not seriously hurt. Police have called Martinez a suspected drug dealer.
Stephen Scott, a state appointed lawyer, appeared alongside Martinez in court yesterday. According to the Daily News he said his client would “have no comment to make in this case whatsoever.”
Martinez, a resident of the Baruch Houses, will be back in court a week from Thursday.
