Teen gunman makes bail involved in NYPD friendly-fire shooting

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 9, 2026

Eighteen-year-old Camani Bartletto was arraigned on charges including attempted murder and recklessly endangering others after he fired multiple shots at an Uber vehicle in Brooklyn, resulting in a stray bullet striking an NYPD officer. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about officer safety and gun violence as the investigation continues and city officials commend the quick response that prevented further harm.

An 18-year-old man was arraigned Wednesday in Brooklyn Criminal Court on charges stemming from an early morning shooting that resulted in a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer being struck by friendly fire. Camani Bartletto, who lives in West Orange, New Jersey, was held on $50,000 bail, which he posted the same day after spending a night at Rikers Island.

The incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. on Sunday at the intersection of Nostrand Avenue and St. John’s Place in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. Police said Bartletto was caught on surveillance video firing multiple rounds at a black Toyota Rav4 operated by an Uber driver, who had a passenger in the vehicle at the time. Although the driver’s side window and door were damaged by gunfire, no injuries were reported in that initial shooting.

Afterward, a nearby group of NYPD officers from the Mobile Force Command, who were seated in an unmarked vehicle, spotted Bartletto as he walked past with a visible firearm. The officers immediately gave chase without activating their body cameras, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during a Sunday press briefing. During the pursuit, three officers discharged their weapons but missed the suspect.

Detective Robert Karrol, a 20-year NYPD veteran, was unintentionally hit in the back of his ballistic vest by a stray bullet. Another officer sustained bruising to her face and shoulder in the course of the incident. Both were transported to Kings County Hospital and are expected to recover.

Bartletto attempted to discard the firearm as he fled, but the weapon landed directly in front of a pursuing sergeant, enabling officers to apprehend him quickly. He was subdued with a Taser and subsequently charged with attempted murder for firing at the Uber driver, in addition to reckless endangerment, criminal use of a firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive behind Bartletto’s actions. Surveillance footage also reportedly showed the teen aiming the gun at an individual outside a nearby deli prior to shooting at the Toyota.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed relief that more serious injuries did not occur during the chaotic event, praising the officers involved for their service during a busy holiday weekend. The investigation remains ongoing.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.