NYPD cop Sumit Sulan hailed as “Super Rookie” for neutralizing killer gunman in Harlem

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An Indian American police officer, on the job for just over six months, is being hailed a hero for rushing to neutralize a gunman who shot a police officer and wounded another in a hail of gunfire in Harlem, Manhattan. Sumit Sulan, 27, shot the assailant who surprised the officers opening fire on them in his mother’s flat on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, where police were called because of a domestic dispute.

Jason Rivera, 22, was killed and Wilbert Mora, 27, was wounded, but Sulan who was in the police party advanced and shot the alleged gunman, Lashawn McNeil, 47, according to police. McNeil later died in hospital from his serious injuries.

Before taking on the gunman, Sulan had moved the mother and her other son to safety, police said. Sulan and his two colleagues had gone to the flat in the Harlem neighbourhood in response to a call by McNeil’s mother that her son was threatening her.

Sulan had a close escape when he rushed to take on McNeil as the man allegedly was firing with a super-charged weapon – a modified Glock pistol fitted with a high-capacity drum with 50 rounds, turning it into a virtual machine gun.

His mother Dalvir Sulan told the New York Post, “I’m proud. Everyone (says) he did good.” She said that he was still struggling to deal with Friday’s events and “his brain is stuck on the situation.” According to her, the family had immigrated to the US about 15 years ago from India.

Sulan, who entered the police force only in April, has been nicknamed “Super Rookie,” according to the Post. He had worked for the city as a taxi and limousine inspector before joining the police.

Sulan had responded earlier this month to a domestic violence incident during which a gun was seized, his police station tweeted with a picture of him holding the weapon.

Although a population of just over four million, and comprising 1 per cent of the American population, Indian Americans have made their mark in all fields, with a culture of hard work, risk taking, inclusive attitude and a passion for excellence in whatever they do, according to a recently published anthology “Kamala Harris and the Rise of Indian Americans” that records, celebrates and critiques their multi-sectoral achievements

(Updated Jan. 25, 2022)