BROOKLYN — A third man was arrested Wednesday night in connection with a drug deal the night before that prompted police to open fire, leaving one of them injured by friendly fire, officials said.
The 49-year-old suspect, whose name was not immediately released, turned himself in to warrant officers "at a location in Brooklyn" about 6:30 p.m., an NYPD spokesman said.
He was still awaiting formal charges Thursday morning, police said.
The man was standing outside a car carrying Oscar Vera, 45, and Geraldo Rodriguez, 51, near Troutman Street and Wilson Avenue about 6:15 p.m. Tuesday when two plainclothes NYPD officers came up on them, officials said.
The duo were dealing a brand of heroin called "American Dream," police said. Once the sergeant and detective announced they were police, Vera tried to flee, officials said.
Vera threw the car into reverse, hitting an NYPD car before speeding forward as the detective, Jon Gladstone, leaped into the passenger's side window, police said.
Police opened fire, hitting both Vera and Gladstone, officials said.
The third man fled the scene, police said.
The two men in the car were arrested at the scene, police said.
Gladstone, an 11-year NYPD veteran, was treated for a gunshot wound to his shoulder at Elmhurst Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, police said.
Vera was treated at Bellevue Hospital for three bullet wounds to his hand and leg, police said.
Vera, of Williamsburg, was charged with assaulting an officer, drug possession, selling drugs, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest, police said. He has 58 prior arrests, police said.
Charges against Rodriguez, who has been arrested 17 times before, were still pending Thursday morning, an NYPD spokeswoman said.
