A police officer was shot while handling a domestic violence dispute in Brooklyn, New York, on Christmas Eve. A 20-year-old suspect was arrested after attempting to flee the scene.

Police arrived at a home in the Crown Heights neighborhood after a woman called 911 to report that her daughter’s boyfriend threatened to come there and fire shots. Officers were questioning a woman at the residence when the suspect arrived and fired a shot.

The unnamed officer, 27, was shot in the back. He was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time, according to the NYPD. The officer was taken to Kings County Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. It was unclear if the intended target was the woman or the police officer.

A police chase ensued on foot after the suspect tried to run away. Officers repeatedly told him to drop his gun. The man eventually set his firearm on the sidewalk and was taken into custody.

A preliminary investigation showed that the couple had been involved in at least one prior domestic violence incident. The latest incident occurred just a month after two police officers were shot while responding to a separate domestic violence call in Queens. Recent reports have noted increases in domestic violence cases in New York as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to stay home.

If you are facing domestic violence accusations, call Brill Legal Group as soon as possible. Our New York criminal defense lawyers are here to protect your rights.