Police shoot man in Astoria during domestic dispute
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The NYPD’s Chief of Department Kenneth Corey (right) briefs the media following the police shooting of a 27-year-old man in Astoria on Monday, April 11, 2022. Eagle photo by Jacob Kaye
By Jacob Kaye
Queens police officers shot a man while responding to a call about a domestic incident Monday in Astoria.
The 27-year-old man, Eduardo Andrade, who is expected to survive, was shot by police officers in the groin after he allegedly was carrying a machete around the Astoria home and telling his family members that he wanted to die, NYPD officials said.
In a 911 call made by Andrade’s girlfriend, police were told that Andrade had “taken a lot of pills,” and refused to leave the home, which was occupied by the girlfriend, her mother, and Andrade’s 3-year-old son, police said.
Police arrived at the home on 33rd Street and Broadway around 10 a.m. on Monday to find Andrade acting erratically, according to the NYPD. They were told that he was armed upon their arrival, according to the NYPD’s Chief of Department Kenneth Corey.
As the NYPD attempted to remove the mother, child and girlfriend from the apartment, Andrade allegedly grabbed the mother inside a narrow hallway in the apartment, Corey said.
After the mother was eventually removed, responding officers fired a taser at Andrade, which had “no effect,” according to the NYPD.
Officers then shot three rounds at the 27-year-old, hitting him in the groin. The 3-year-old was in the apartment at the time of the shooting, the NYPD said.
Corey could not confirm whether or not Andrade was in possession of the machete at the time of the shooting, though the weapon was later found, police said. He also couldn’t confirm if Andrade had lunged toward the officers in the moments leading up the shooting.
“That’s one of the things that remains to be determined at this time,” Corey said.
Andrade was taken to Elmhurst Hospital and was in surgery around 1 p.m. He’s expected to survive. Two officers were taken to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation, but no other injuries were reported.
33rd Street was closed off to traffic throughout the morning Monday. The neighborhood saw heavy police presence following the shooting.
33rd Street in Astoria was closed to traffic after NYPD officers shot a 27-year-old man involved in a domestic incident on Monday, April 11, 2022. Eagle photo by Jacob Kaye
The girlfriend, identified as Brianna Cortez by ABC7, told the outlet Monday that the chain of events that preceded the officers shooting Andrade differed from the NYPD’s telling.
"They didn't ask questions," Cortez told the outlet. "They dragged my 53-year-old mother to the floor, ripped her shirt off, and then shot my son's father twice in front of him."
"This is why you don't call NYPD for help," she added. "They will shoot you and then blame your family."
NYPD officials said Monday that the officers responding to the scene had their body cameras activated during the incident and at the time they opened fire. The footage is currently being reviewed, police said.
Corey said the NYPD has an “extensive” history of responding to domestic incidents at the home.
Andrade allegedly has violated multiple orders of protection and has been involved in several alleged domestic assault and harassment incidents, according to the NYPD. Cortez denied a history of domestic violence in the home, ABC7 reported.
Last year, Andrade was arrested for assaulting an officer.
“We need to look into the facts and circumstances surrounding that incident,” Corey said.
