Gunman’s audio rant recorded before police fatally shoot him on Upper East Side.

Dramatic audio recordings from a 911 call have surfaced, revealing the final moments of a 20-year-old assailant’s life. Elijah Brown, who identified himself as “crazy,” called for help just before he was shot by three New York City police officers on November 13. This incident unfolded on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where Brown had taken a deli clerk hostage at gunpoint, forcing the employee to dial emergency services.

In the call, Brown can be heard expressing his distress. “I have a gun in the store,” he informed the dispatcher, claiming he was in trouble and attempting to escape. He implored the clerk to stay with him, assuring the worker that he would not shoot him. Instead, as the clerk fled the scene, Brown redirected his pleas to the dispatcher, indicating his intention to reach Mount Sinai Hospital. He described his mental state, stating, “I’m crazy,” and suggested that he was fleeing from someone trying to kill him.

Following the 911 call, Brown exited the deli, located near East 107th Street, and concealed his silver handgun in a nearby flowerbed before making his way to Mount Sinai Hospital. Inside the hospital, Brown became involved in a confrontation with an NYPD lieutenant, who was working as a security guard at the time. After being forced to leave the hospital by the officer, Brown retrieved his weapon and pointed it at the lieutenant and several bystanders, which prompted another emergency call.

Arriving at the scene shortly after, officers Daniel Cody, Grady O’Halleran, and Irene Prentzas pursued Brown after he ignored their commands to drop his weapon. In a dramatic turn of events, Brown fired at least once at the officers, which was captured on surveillance footage. The responding officers returned fire, with Cody discharging his weapon 10 times, O’Halleran nine times, and Prentzas twice. Brown collapsed to the ground and was subsequently transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

In the hours leading up to the deli incident, Brown had allegedly threatened a man in an elevator, raising concerns about his state of mind. Witnesses described a tense atmosphere, fearing that violence could erupt at any moment. A family member later spoke about Brown, noting that he was not merely a troubled youth but was experiencing significant personal struggles.

The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division has launched an investigation into the shooting to determine whether the officers acted within departmental protocols. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this incident, questions about mental health, gun violence, and police response continue to resonate.

Authorities maintain that ongoing investigations will clarify the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, which has elicited a profound response from the community and law enforcement alike. The details surrounding this case are still evolving, and further developments are expected as investigations proceed.

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