Three people, including two unarmed volunteer NYPD officers, were killed by a gunman who went on a shooting spree last night in Greenwich Village. The gunman was killed by responding officers.
Police say David Gavin walked into DeMarco’s Pizzeria in the West Village wearing a fake beard and carrying a 9mm semi-auto. He then shot a waiter 15 times in the back, and ran down the street.
Volunteer police officers Eugene Marshalik, 19, and Nicholas Pekearo, 28. responded to a call for help at the pizzeria. Officials reports say Gavin shot and killed them both. Neither officer was armed.
Armed officers responded to the shots and cornered Gavin. One witness told the Associated Press that the ensuing gun battle lasted five minutes. Several officers were reportedly wounded in the shootout.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement that Gavin had two guns—the nine and a .380—and more than 100 rounds of ammunition.
Police say they do not know why Gavin went on the rampage. One neighborhood resident told the Associated Press that Gavin was a former employee at the pizzeria.
Volunteer officers Marshalik and Pekearo were the first NYPD volunteers to be killed in the line of duty since 1993. They will get full police honors at their funerals.