Harlem cop shot while sitting in his car released from hospital

An off-duty NYPD cop who was hit by bullet fragments when a slug shattered his car window was released from the hospital to a hero’s ovation Sunday afternoon.

Mayor Eric Adams attended the walk-out, which included about 60 officers clapping for the injured Harlem cop as he got up from his wheelchair and walked to a waiting van outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

“Here’s the promise,” Adams said. “We’re going to get the shooter. That’s the ending of this one.

“We’re going to get this shooter, and we’re going to get the shooters in the city. We’re going to get guns out of our city. Families should not have to go through this. We want this guy caught.”

Keith Wagenhauser, 33, was reclining in his car outside Manhattan’s 25th Precinct when he was shot.

Daniel William McKnight

The injured officer — former Marine Keith Wagenhauser, 33 — required surgery to remove the fragments from his skull after Saturday’s shooting.

Keith Wagenhauser had finished a New Year’s Eve shift and was reclining in his car when a bullet shattered the back passenger window and then fragmented into his skull.

Robert Miller for NY Post

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell has said it isn’t clear if the cop was the shooter’s intended target.

Robert Miller

Wagenhauser had finished a New Year’s Eve shift and was reclining in the driver’s seat of his car outside Manhattan’s 25th Precinct station house early Saturday before a scheduled day tour when the bullet shattered his rear passenger window. Fragments of the bullets ended up lodged in his skull.Cops had to work extra hours over the holiday weekend after regular days off were canceled because of staffing shortages attributed to COVID-19.

The cop was awakened by the sound of his rear window shattering and pain to his head, authorities said.

The family of NYPD officer Keith Wagenhauser, 33, who was shot on New Year’s Day while sleeping in his car between shifts.

Daniel William McKnight

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell has said it isn’t clear if the cop was the shooter’s intended target.

“It’s hard to tell who the intended target was if any, but let me say this – there are no stray bullets,” Sewell said  “There is someone firing that weapon and we are trying to locate that person.”

NYC Mayor Eric Adams is set to attend the walk-out according to his office.

Kevin C. Downs for The New York Post

Deputy Inspector Chris Henning, who commands the 25th Precinct where Wagenhauser is stationed, said Sunday that the cop was fortunate to survive.

“Today’s a very, very fortunate day for Keith, his family and the members of the NYPD family,” Henning said. 

“This is a momentous occasion,” he said. “It’s great for morale, great to see a smile on Keith’s face, have him walk out with his family.”

A $10,000 reward has been offered for information in connection with the case. Tipsters are advised to call 1-800-COP-SHOT.