Off-Duty Cop Kills Muggers in NYC

An off-duty police officer shot and killed a would-be mugger Sunday night in New York City.

The fatal shooting happened after two individuals tried to mug the off-duty detective in Brooklyn. The officer was walking to the subway to begin his commute to work at Brooklyn North Nightwatch.

Sources told the New York Daily News that the officer was attacked, but defended himself after telling the muggers he was a police officer.

"One strikes him over the head with a cane, knocking him to the ground, and the other simulates a gun," the source said. "When he's down, he identifies himself as a police officer."

That didn't end the attack, according to the source.

"He fires once at the guy, striking the guy who hit him with a cane, and the guy who simulated the gun flees," the source said.

Police are looking for the second suspect. It is unclear why the officer was targeted.

The officer, who was not identified by officials, was taken to a local hospital and treated for trauma, according to reports.

The incident, however, marks a milestone for a notoriously dangerous neighborhood in the city.

Police have now fatally shot three suspects in Brooklyn this month.

Police killed a man on Jan. 26 who was attempting to carjack someone in Brooklyn. The man was shot as he waved a gun at officers.

Police shot another man on Jan. 12 during an attempted robbery. The man was a known drug dealer and had a weapon on him at the time of the incident.