NYPD cops guarding a house party in Queens on Friday night shot and killed three men after the group rolled up and opened fire on the 75 to 100 revelers, police say.
The violence erupted around 11:35 p.m. Friday night on Springfield Boulevard and 130th Avenue in Laurelton and sent all three injured suspected shooters to the hospital, NYPD Patrol Chief Jeff Maddrey said.
Plainclothes officers in unmarked vehicles were monitoring the party because they feared there was a “potential for violence from some local street crews”, police said.
The melee began when plainclothes officers spotted a group of men showing up at the party, threatening revelers with guns and opening fire.
As a number of party attendees returned fire, the cops drew their guns and fired at the gunmen, sources said.
Maddey said no officers were injured in the firefight.
Two of the suspected shooters suffered non-life-threatening injuries, the third suspect is in critical condition.
Police recovered three firearms from the scene.
The investigation continues and the cops are looking for information from the “large number of people” who were at the party.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers: 800-577-TIPS.
GB2
