On July 28, 2014, members of the U.S. Marshal Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force were searching for a fugitive in connection with a pending child molestation case that also involved criminal threats against witnesses. The task force had tracked the fugitive to a smoke shop located in New York, and had established surveillance on the target smoke shop. A plain-clothes investigator on the team entered the shop and communicated with the other task force personnel that the fugitive had been positively identified and was the sole employee inside.
At approximately 1:00 p.m., the team conducted an arrest operation inside the shop. Upon entering, task force members attempted to place the fugitive under arrest. The fugitive immediately resisted arrest by engaging in a physical struggle, drawing a handgun from his pocket and firing at the task force members.
During the subsequent exchange of gunfire the fugitive was able to wound two U.S. marshals and one New York Police Department detective. Deputy U.S. Marshal Patrick Lin, who had been shot in his thigh/hip area, was able to return fire, striking the fugitive 10 times, and enabling the rest of the team to secure him and end the threat.
Team members in this engagement were struck by rounds fired by the fugitive and injured from debris caused by gunfire. All are expected to make full recoveries. The fugitive was pronounced deceased at the scene.