Key Takeaways
- An off-duty New York State Trooper shot a 17-year-old armed carjacking suspect at a Yonkers gas station after the suspect attempted to stab her.
- The suspect stole the Trooper’s vehicle but crashed it and fled on foot before police arrested him nearby.
- The Trooper fired one shot, hitting the suspect in the left arm and torso; the suspect received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
- The case highlights the importance of the right to bear arms for off-duty officers and private citizens facing imminent threats.
- Gas stations are common locations for armed encounters, so maintaining situational awareness is crucial for safety.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
YONKERS, NY — An off-duty New York State Trooper shot an armed carjacking suspect Sunday afternoon at a Yonkers gas station after he attempted to stab her and took control of her vehicle, according to the Yonkers Police Department.
The incident happened at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the Mobil gas station at 838 Kimball Avenue. The off-duty Trooper called Yonkers police for assistance after the shooting.
Investigators said the Trooper had just finished refueling her personal vehicle when the suspect approached her, brandished a knife, and entered the driver’s seat. The Trooper fired one round from her off-duty firearm, striking the suspect in the left arm. The round continued into his torso.
The suspect then accelerated the vehicle toward the rear of the gas station, drove through a shed and fence, and came to rest in the parking lot of the adjacent apartment building at 1296 Midland Avenue. He then fled the stolen vehicle on foot toward Midland Avenue.
Yonkers Police Officers located the suspect a short distance away at the entrance to 1328 Midland Avenue and took him into custody without further incident. A knife was recovered from the suspect at the time of his arrest.
Medical personnel rendered aid at the scene, and the suspect was transported to an area hospital. He was treated for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and remains in stable condition.
Under New York State law prohibiting the identification of minors charged with a crime, the suspect can only be identified as a 17-year-old male resident of Yonkers. He is awaiting arraignment and will be charged with Robbery in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree, and Menacing in the 2nd Degree.
The Yonkers Police Department’s Detective Division Major Case Squad is leading the criminal investigation, while an internal review is being conducted by the New York State Police. Because the Trooper was the victim of the crime, no further identifying information about her will be released. She is identified only as a female off-duty NYS Trooper assigned to Troop NYC.
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Why This Case Matters
This incident is a clear example of why the right to bear arms does not stop when a uniform comes off. An off-duty law enforcement officer faced an imminent threat of serious bodily harm from a suspect armed with a knife at close range inside her own vehicle. Her ability to access a firearm at that moment likely changed the outcome.
The same principles apply to private citizens. A knife at contact distance is a deadly weapon, and a suspect who has already committed to using one against another person represents an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. Lawful defensive force in that scenario is recognized under the law.
The Second Amendment is a fundamental civil right that protects the ability of every law-abiding American to be prepared for moments like this one. Whether a person carries because of their profession or because they choose to take responsibility for their own safety, the underlying principle is the same. Being armed and trained gives a person a fighting chance when a violent attacker decides they are the target.
Gas stations remain one of the most common environments for armed encounters because they bring strangers into close contact in semi-private spaces. Situational awareness while fueling, keeping doors locked, and maintaining a clear line of sight in every direction are habits worth practicing every time.
