The Latest: Man with meat cleaver attacks officer, gets shot

NEW YORK – The Latest on a police shooting of an armed man in New York City (all times local):

7:30 p.m.

Authorities say a man who was shot by New York City police after he struck an officer with a meat cleaver had been living in his car, and was initially stopped because he was trying to remove a boot from the vehicle.

The shooting happened around 5 p.m. about a block from Madison Square Garden.

Police say officers initially confronted the man, and then chased him for several blocks after he pulled an 11-inch butcher knife.

Officers unsuccessfully tried to subdue him with a Taser.

Police say an off-duty detective tried to tackle the man and was hacked in the face, leaving a six-inch gash.

Police Commissioner William Bratton commended the detective for his bravery.

Officials identified the suspect as Akram Joudeh. They say he has been arrested more than a dozen times in recent years.

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6:40 p.m.

Police say a man with a meat cleaver has attacked an officer in New York City and has been shot at least twice during a struggle with officers trying to subdue him.

The gunshots rang out about a block from Macy’s midtown Manhattan flagship department store just as rush hour was getting underway Thursday evening.

Police say the wounded man has been hospitalized in critical condition. An off-duty police detective has been hospitalized for a slash wound to the face.

A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press the officers had chased the man with the cleaver and had unsuccessfully tried to subdue him with a Taser before the struggle that led to the shooting. The official wasn’t authorized to release the information and spoke on the condition of anonymity.