A 58-year-old Mount Vernon man remains in critical condition after being shot by a police officer during a lengthy standoff inside his apartment, according to New York State Police.
Authorities say Mount Vernon police responded to an apartment building at 324 Columbus Ave. around 10 p.m. Thursday to execute a court-ordered mental health commitment order involving Ulysses McGhee. Upon arrival, officers reported that McGhee was armed with two knives and retreated into his apartment.
Police spent approximately four hours attempting to negotiate with McGhee before obtaining search-and-arrest warrants, state police said. A neighbor who lives above McGhee's apartment told News 12 she remained inside because she feared for her safety. She also said she had observed behavior from McGhee in the past that she described as unusual.
According to investigators, officers entered the apartment around 2 a.m. while McGhee was still armed with two knives.
State police said officers deployed non-lethal measures, including tasers and beanbag rounds, but those efforts were unsuccessful. One officer then discharged a firearm, striking McGhee.
The neighbor told News 12 she heard loud banging followed by what sounded like gunshots during the encounter.
McGhee was transported to Jacobi Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition. The officer who fired the weapon was also taken to a local hospital. Authorities have not released information regarding the officer’s employment status.