Police fatally shot a man in The Bronx early Sunday when he pointed a gun at officers responding to a report of shots fired, authorities said.
Cops were called to the Soundview Houses on Randall Avenue after a series of gunshots triggered the NYPD’s ShotSpotter system, which alerts police to gunfire through sound waves.
When the officers arrived, they encountered Rashaun Lloyd holding a Hi-Point 9mm pistol. He pointed it at them, and they ordered him to drop it, officials said.
But he aimed the muzzle at the officers instead, and three of them unloaded 31 rounds, striking the man several times, police said. He died at Jacobi Medical Center.
It was not immediately clear if Lloyd fired his weapon at the officers, authorities said.
“The officers ordered him to drop the gun, which was at least verified by one 911 caller,” said Patrol Borough Bronx Commanding Officer Larry Nikunen.
“He pointed the gun at them two separate times,” Nikunen added.
The gunman’s mother, Arlene Lloyd, said her son had been taken to Jacobi Medical Center earlier in the day Saturday because of mental-health issues.
“They took him to Jacobi Hospital because he was supposed to be on meds and he wasn’t taking them,” she said, noting he had been “hearing voices” and acting depressed.
A friend of Rashaun Lloyd said the gunman’s cousin took him to the hospital on Saturday afternoon after he began behaving strangely. But doctors released him.
“His cousin was worried so he took him to the hospital, I guess for a detox,” said the friend, who declined to give his name.
“They checked him at the hospital, but they said he was OK, so they let him go. He came back and was still acting kind of crazy. He started crying, and I just got away from him.”
Later that night, witnesses saw Lloyd kick open the front door of the building and walk outside, where he began waving the gun wildly until the deadly confrontation with police.
His mother said her son may have smoked marijuana laced with another substance that sent him over the edge.
“The cops have been after my son for a long time,” Arlene Lloyd charged. “I know he has a record, but they didn’t have to do this.”
Police sources said they had no knowledge of his hospital visit.
Lloyd had prior arrests that included robbery, criminal trespassing and possession of marijuana.
But his mom said he was a good father to his 4-year-old son.
“He was close with his son. It was all he talked about,” she said. “He was a wonderful father and son.”
Additional reporting by Larry Celona