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NY police kill man on wedding day NY police kill man on wedding day
(about 2 hours later)
Police in New York City have killed a man on the morning of his wedding and wounded two others. An unarmed man has been shot dead by police in New York City hours before he was to have been married, prompting fury over the officers' actions.
The groom and two friends were leaving a strip club in Queens on Saturday morning after the groom's bachelor party when police opened fire on them. Two of the man's friends were hurt in the shooting, which occurred outside a strip club where they had been celebrating before the wedding.
Police fired 50 bullets at the car which was being driven by the groom. Police fired 50 bullets at a car carrying the men after it reportedly struck an unmarked police vehicle.
The club was under observation by police and New York's mayor said police believed "an altercation with a firearm" was about to happen. New York's mayor says police had acted fearing an armed "altercation".
A total of 21 bullets hit the car the men were driving as they left the strip club, police said. "Officers on the scene had reason to believe that an altercation involving a firearm was about to happen and were trying to stop it," Michael Bloomberg said.
The club was under surveillance because of its long history of weapons complaints, drug-dealing and prostitution, New York's Police Chief Raymond Kelly said.
Civil rights activist Al Sharpton has demanded the police explain its actions.
"Gunshots all over the place. This is outrageous at best," he said.
He also criticised the police for handcuffing the two men receiving emergency care for their injuries in hospital.
Denise Ford, the mother of one of the men hurt in the shooting, is quoted as saying her son was shot in the hand, right leg and buttocks.
"I think this is messed-up on the cops' behalf," Ms Ford told New York newspaper Newsday.
"They're too hotheaded and something needs to be done about it."
Police suspicionsPolice suspicions
A total of 21 bullets hit the car the men as it left the strip club, police said.
The driver, Sean Bell, was to be married later on Saturday. He was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.The driver, Sean Bell, was to be married later on Saturday. He was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.
Al Sharpton said the police must explain its actions
One of his passengers, Joseph Guzman was hit by at least 11 bullets and is in a critical condition in hospital.One of his passengers, Joseph Guzman was hit by at least 11 bullets and is in a critical condition in hospital.
The other passenger, Trent Benefield, was hit three times and is in a stable condition.The other passenger, Trent Benefield, was hit three times and is in a stable condition.
Police said they were watching the club, Kalua, because of suspicions of drug dealing and prostitution. Police Chief Kelly said the three men were also being watched.
New York's mayor Michael Bloomberg said police acted to prevent an incident. He said an undercover officer at the club had reported that the men were in a group that was involved in a dispute with another person outside the club.
"We know that the NYPD officers on the scene had reason to believe that an altercation involving a firearm was about to happen and were trying to stop it," he said. The officer had reportedly called his colleagues saying he feared a gun would be produced.
No gun found As the men left the scene, a car they were driving struck an undercover officer on the shin.
New York's Police Chief Raymond Kelly said the three men were also being watched and when they left the club their car hit an undercover officer, Associated Press news agency said. It also hit an unmarked police vehicle, which is when five of the seven police officers on the scene opened fire, Mr Kelly said.
The men's car then backed up and hit an unmarked police vehicle for a second time, which is when five of the seven police officers on the scene opened fire, Mr Kelly said. No weapons were found on the three men or in their car. An investigation is under way.
No weapons were found on the three men or in their car.
An investigation is under way.
In 1999, New York police fired 41 bullets at unarmed Amadou Diallo, killing him. The four officers involved were acquitted of all charges.In 1999, New York police fired 41 bullets at unarmed Amadou Diallo, killing him. The four officers involved were acquitted of all charges.