NYPD: Off-duty LI officer hospitalized after crash leads to assault, shooting

An off-duty Hempstead police officer opened fire on suspects who allegedly assaulted him and tried to rob him following a minor collision in the Bronx, the NYPD says.
During the confrontation early Saturday morning, the officer also suffered an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound, but is expected to recover.
According to the NYPD, it happened around 6:15 a.m. near Sedgwick Avenue and West 183rd Street in the Bronx's University Heights neighborhood.
Police say the Hempstead Village officer was rear-ended, and he got out of his vehicle to inspect the damage. Two men in the other car also exited their vehicle, and an argument ensued.
The NYPD says two more people then arrived at the scene in a third vehicle, a red Nissan. The four people confronted the officer and allegedly assaulted him and attempted to rob him, according to police.
While attempting to defend himself, police say the officer suffered an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound when a bullet grazed his leg.
Police say the officer also shot two of the suspects. The men, ages 19 and 24, went to Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center for treatment, and were taken into custody. But the two other suspects from the red Nissan remain at large.
The officer was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital and is in stable condition.
The identities of those involved have not been released at this time.
The Hempstead Village Police Department confirmed the incident in a statement, saying, "An off-duty officer was involved in shooting and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing."