Mark Tyson
Member
Cop Shoots Man Dead in SI Struggle
Copyright 2003 Newsday, Inc.
Newsday (New York)
November 7, 2003 Friday QUEENS EDITION
A Staten Island police officer shot and killed a knife-wielding ex-convict yesterday during a struggle inside the home of the dead man's estranged girlfriend, police said.
Russell Wimbush, 43, who stood 6-foot-1 and weighed 300 pounds, rushed Officer Edward Barrett, knocked him atop a glass table that shattered and attacked him with a knife, police said.
As Wimbush's estranged girlfriend and her two teenage sons ran out of the apartment, Barrett grabbed his gun and fired, striking Wimbush once in the chest. Wimbush was taken to Staten Island University Hospital, North Site, where he died.
Based on a preliminary probe, Barrett acted within department guidelines, police sources said.
Barrett, a two-year veteran assigned to the Housing Bureau, was stabbed in the shoulder and suffered numerous facial cuts. He was treated at St. Vincent's Hospital and later released. The girlfriend and her two children were not hurt.
Police said the incident started at 7:40 a.m. when Barrett, assigned to a foot post at Grasmere's South Beach Houses, was sent to the Kramer Street apartment of the estranged girlfriend, whose name was not released.
Once Barrett was inside, the woman told him that Wimbush had been milling about her building, apparently in an attempt to reconcile with her.
While the two were talking, Wimbush showed up and started banging on the door.
"The officer opened the door," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said. "This individual pushes past the officer and pushes into the room."
Wimbush then rushed Barrett, police said. During the struggle, Wimbush pulled out a 7 1/2-inch folding knife, which also included a 3 1/2-inch blade, and stabbed Barrett, police said. That's when Barrett fired.
Police said Wimbush served 3 years in prison for a 1992 robbery and 1 year probation for a menacing conviction stemming from a 1979 rape. He also had convictions for assault, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct but did not serve time in prison.
Police and neighbors said the woman and Wimbush had a tense relationship, arguing often. There were no orders of protection in place, but some neighbors said police had responded at least once in the past to quell a violent argument between the two.
Neighbors said Wimbush and the woman knew each other about 7 years, and that in the past two years she had broken up with him more than once.
Jackie Greene, who has two children with Wimbush's oldest son, Richard, 21, said it matters little why Wimbush snapped.
"I don't know why he did it, but he's gone," she said. "He's gone. That's all I know. It's very upsetting because I have two young daughters with Richard. That's their grandfather."
Copyright 2003 Newsday, Inc.
Newsday (New York)
November 7, 2003 Friday QUEENS EDITION
A Staten Island police officer shot and killed a knife-wielding ex-convict yesterday during a struggle inside the home of the dead man's estranged girlfriend, police said.
Russell Wimbush, 43, who stood 6-foot-1 and weighed 300 pounds, rushed Officer Edward Barrett, knocked him atop a glass table that shattered and attacked him with a knife, police said.
As Wimbush's estranged girlfriend and her two teenage sons ran out of the apartment, Barrett grabbed his gun and fired, striking Wimbush once in the chest. Wimbush was taken to Staten Island University Hospital, North Site, where he died.
Based on a preliminary probe, Barrett acted within department guidelines, police sources said.
Barrett, a two-year veteran assigned to the Housing Bureau, was stabbed in the shoulder and suffered numerous facial cuts. He was treated at St. Vincent's Hospital and later released. The girlfriend and her two children were not hurt.
Police said the incident started at 7:40 a.m. when Barrett, assigned to a foot post at Grasmere's South Beach Houses, was sent to the Kramer Street apartment of the estranged girlfriend, whose name was not released.
Once Barrett was inside, the woman told him that Wimbush had been milling about her building, apparently in an attempt to reconcile with her.
While the two were talking, Wimbush showed up and started banging on the door.
"The officer opened the door," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said. "This individual pushes past the officer and pushes into the room."
Wimbush then rushed Barrett, police said. During the struggle, Wimbush pulled out a 7 1/2-inch folding knife, which also included a 3 1/2-inch blade, and stabbed Barrett, police said. That's when Barrett fired.
Police said Wimbush served 3 years in prison for a 1992 robbery and 1 year probation for a menacing conviction stemming from a 1979 rape. He also had convictions for assault, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct but did not serve time in prison.
Police and neighbors said the woman and Wimbush had a tense relationship, arguing often. There were no orders of protection in place, but some neighbors said police had responded at least once in the past to quell a violent argument between the two.
Neighbors said Wimbush and the woman knew each other about 7 years, and that in the past two years she had broken up with him more than once.
Jackie Greene, who has two children with Wimbush's oldest son, Richard, 21, said it matters little why Wimbush snapped.
"I don't know why he did it, but he's gone," she said. "He's gone. That's all I know. It's very upsetting because I have two young daughters with Richard. That's their grandfather."
