NYPD OFFICERS BURNED IN ATTACK; SUSPECT SHOT

The suspect sought in a fatal stabbing threw a chemical substance at two officers

By Alison Fox

amNewYork
March 7, 2016

NEW YORK -- Two Critical Response Command officers were injured and a suspect was shot after the man apparently went on a spree in Astoria on Sunday, killing one man inside a liquor store, police said.

The melee started when officers cornered James Patrick Dillon, 23, at about 5:40 p.m. near 36th Street, between 28th Avenue and Astoria Boulevard.

A total of seven shots were fired in the backyard of the home Dillon shares with his parents, police said.

During the exchange, the two officers, a lieutenant and inspector, were burned from a chemical accelerant contained in a Corona bottle, which was thrown in their faces, burning their hands, police said.

"This has been a very unusual day here in Astoria," said Assistant Chief Diana Pizzuti, commanding officer of the patrol borough of Queens North, speaking outside the 114th Precinct. "There was quite the manhunt to find the suspect."

Investigators tested the substance, but were not immediately able to determine what it was, said Deputy Chief John Essig.

Dillon, who lives on 36th Street and was accused of going on a crime spree in the family-friendly neighborhood on Sunday, was shot several times during the incident.

Police had been looking for Dillon, who was suspected to have slashed two people, one fatally, and burned another earlier in the day.

His family indicated that Dillon had not been taking his medicine lately, Essig said.

In the first attack at about 11:30 a.m., a 39-year-old woman was slashed in the face and neck on 36th Street, near 28th Avenue, police said. Dillon and the woman were neighbors, police said.

Just after 3 p.m., Dillon allegedly struck again, fatally stabbing George Patouhas, the 55-year-old owner of an Astoria Boulevard liquor store. Patouhas had intervened after Dillon started an argument with a man sitting in a chair, Essig said.

Dillon then stepped out of the store and allegedly threw accelerant back inside, lighting a 61-year-old homeless man on fire. He was taken to New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell and is now in stable condition.

At about 5:10 p.m., Dillon broke into an apartment on 42nd Street, near Newtown Road, but fled, police said.

About 30 minutes later, the two CRC officers spotted Dillon in the back of a home on 36th Street. He had a knife, police said, and a bottle of accelerant.

He allegedly refused to drop the knife or the bottle, and sprayed the officers. They then shot the suspect.

A green knife was recovered from the scene, police said. The officers were taken to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, and the suspect was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center. The officers were in stable condition, police said. Dillon was in critical condition.

By Sunday night, dozens of officers converged on the block where Dillon lives with his family. Cops had cordoned off the block.

Andrew King, 47, lives a few blocks from the crime scene and said he knew both Dillon and the 55-year-old victim for several years.

"Everyone is shocked at what went on here, we don't believe this," said King, who works as a mover. "I'm very depressed from this."

Jonathon Martinez, 28, said he often sees Dillon walking around the neighborhood.

"He's usually over here in the morning. He says 'hello' to people walking by," Martinez said. "It just shows you: one day you could be fine and the next day you lose it."