By Gabriela Resto-Montero and Jill Colvin
DNAinfo Staff
EAST HARLEM — An East Harlem teen faces attempted murder charges after allegedly taking aim at NYPD officers early Sunday, police said.
Matthew Melendez, 18, was at the corner of East 119th Street and Lexington Avenue around 3:15 a.m. Sunday when he was approached by three officers who believed he had a gun, officials said. Melendez sprinted away, then allegedly turned around and fired at officers a total of three rounds, the third of which got stuck in the chamber of the gun, police said.
The officers returned fire with a total of 13 rounds, leaving Melendez with eight bullet wounds in his body, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Monday. It was unclear how many of Melendez' wounds were entry wounds and which were exit wounds.
The officers were not hurt in the incident. Police released a photo of a gun they said was recovered at the scene.
Melendez was taken to Harlem Hospital in stable condition, police said.
He was charged with attempted murder, criminal use of a loaded firearm and reckless endangerment, police said.
