Off-duty NYPD cop tackles alleged shooter at Queens deli

An off-duty NYPD cop tackled an alleged shooter outside a Queens deli on Monday night — holding the man until on-duty police arrived, police said.

The officer, who was inside a deli at 137-02 Cross Bay Boulevard in Jamaica, sprang into action when a 63-year-old man allegedly shot a customer there at about 6:15 p.m., authorities said.

The NYPD identified the hero cop as Jason Maharaj from the 77th Precinct.

The suspect, who is believed to be homeless, was initially causing a commotion inside the deli before being escorted out, sources said.

He returned shortly after and fired a gun into the store, striking a 26-year-old patron, sources said.

The officer, who has two years on the force, ran outside and tackled the alleged shooter, wrestling the gun away from him, police said.

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Off-duty but always vigilant. Tonight, off-duty Police Officer Maharaj from the 77 Precinct was in a deli in Queens when a suspect started shooting at a customer. The officer quickly sprang into action, tackled the suspect, disarmed him & held him until uniform officers arrived.

A post shared by NYPD (@nypd) on Oct 26, 2020 at 5:59pm PDT

The suspect was taken into custody and police recovered a Colt .45 handgun at the scene, sources said.

The 26-year-old victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition.

The department touted the takedown by one of its off-duty members on social media.

“Off-duty but always vigilant,” the NYPD wrote on its official Twitter account.