Paterson man shot by policewoman was ‘acting crazy’ outside headquarters | Paterson Times Paterson Times

Paterson man shot by policewoman was ‘acting crazy’ outside headquarters

By Jayed Rahman
Published: October 30, 2016

police

The city man shot once by a policewoman late Saturday afternoon outside of the Paterson Police Department was behaving erratically and shouting on the street, according to family members who have yet to see the victim at the hospital.

Larry Bouie, 41-year-old, was shot once by the unidentified policewoman outside of 111 Broadway at about 5:50 p.m., said the victim’s family. His girlfriend, Tasha Wade, and his brother Gregory Bouie, identified him as the victim on Sunday afternoon in separate interviews.

The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen region when the on-duty policewoman discharged her firearm, said the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office on Sunday afternoon.

The victim’s brother, who was selling shoes, shirts, and watches outside of the Metro PCS store on Broadway, said his brother tried to speak to him seeking help with something. He ignored him and the brother walked in the direction of the police station.

“The next thing I know, I heard ‘Pop!,’” said Gregory Bouie, who regrets ignoring him. He said his brother was with his 9-year-old twin sons and girlfriend.

“He was out there acting crazy outside of the police station. He was wilding and going crazy. We tried to call an ambulance and calm him down, but couldn’t calm him. Then police came. She got out of the car, he was still acting crazy, she pulled out her gun, and she shot him,” said Wade.

Authorities said preliminary information developed in their investigation indicates the policewoman encountered the victim “acting erratically” outside of the police station.

Wade suspected he smoked something that impacted his behavior. She said it was likely angel dust, a hallucinogenic drug.

“She just ran up on him and shot him. She didn’t ask no questions or nothing,” said the brother. Wade also said the officer did not ask any questions, but fired a shot.

“She didn’t say not one thing,” said Wade. “He was just screaming for help.” Both Wade and the victim’s brother said they did not know why he was screaming for help prior to the shooting.

“I don’t know. I guess what he was going through. I don’t know what got into him. We’re trying to find out ourselves,” said Wade.

Police responded to report of an emotionally disturbed individual in middle of the street on Church and Broadway, according to law enforcement sources.

“We were out there screaming,” recalled Wade after Larry Bouie had been shot. “My son tried to pick him up off the ground. He was holding his stomach where the police shot him. He asked the police officer why did you shoot me. He tried to get up, but he couldn’t.”

Both the girlfriend and brother said he did not have any weapons nor objects in his hands when the incident occurred.

Larry Bouie was taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center for treatment. He was treated in the hospital for injuries and continues to receive medical care at the hospital, said the prosecutors. Both Wade and the victim’s brother said they were not allowed in to see him at the hospital since the incident happened.

“I don’t know what’s his condition,” said Wade. “They don’t want no one to see him. All we can do is go there and sit in the waiting room.” She said last night a police officer told her he was in stable condition.

Gregory Bouie said he tried to obtain information from police, but was not allowed inside the headquarters. “They blocked me from going in there. They didn’t care I was his brother,” he said.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into the shooting. “The scene has been secured and the investigation is active and ongoing,” said chief assistant prosecutor Mary Ryan on Saturday evening. She said the investigation remains “active and ongoing” as of Sunday afternoon.

Authorities said information is subject to change as it develops. No arrests have been made in the incident, prosecutors said on Sunday afternoon.

Police director Jerry Speziale referred all inquiries about the incident to the prosecutor’s office.

Gregory Bouie said he feels police are targeting his family. He said he was allegedly beaten by officers outside of an auto repair shop on North 9th Street in 2013. He sued and the city paid him $39,500 to settle the lawsuit in May of this year.

“It’s like they are doing this to my family,” said Gregory Bouie. “What they going to do kill my whole family?”

Gregory Bouie said his brother was released from prison on parole recently after serving time for a domestic violence conviction.

The county prosecutor’s office is asking anyone with information about this incident to call 1-877-370-PCPO or send information to [email protected].

Email: [email protected]

This report was updated with new information from the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office at 6:09 p.m. on October 30th, 2016.


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