NYPD cop shot in the arm by suspect FREED ahead of sentencing for prior firearms charge 
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NYPD cop shot in the arm by suspect FREED ahead of sentencing for prior firearms charge 

A New York City police officer was shot in the arm Tuesday night by a career criminal freed ahead of a planned sentencing for a prior gun arrest, city officials said.

The 32-year-old officer, Dennis Vargas, was treated and released from Lincoln Medical Center early Wednesday, after a fierce gun battle that left the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Rameek Smith, dead.

The shootout unfolded late Tuesday night, cops said Wednesday, after Vargas and his partner spotted and approached the suspect during their beat in the Bronx neighborhood of Claremont at roughly 10:45 pm.

Cops say Smith – who was arrested in March 2020 for criminal possession of a firearm – then began to run from the officers, spurring Vargas and his partner to give chase.

After about a block-and-a-half, police say Smith suddenly turned around and produced a handgun, letting off two shots at the officers – one of which struck Vargas.

The officers then returned fire, hitting Smith in the head, police said Wednesday. Cops added that the suspect was initially stopped because it appeared he was carrying a weapon.

Smith was arrested and then taken to a hospital, where he later died, officers said.

A 9 mm Glock was recovered at the scene, police said

Dozens of officers and city officials – including Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell and new Mayor Eric Adams – gathered outside Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx early Wednesday to greet the wounded officer upon his release just four hours after the fatal shootout.

Vargas, an eight-year veteran of the force, smiled and waved to fellow officers and journalists after being wheeled out of the hospital in a wheelchair.

A presser was then held outside the hospital, where officials revealed Smith’s extensive criminal past and pending criminal case.

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