By Gina Gomez
New York, Dec.12, (THAINDIAN NEWS) As New Yorkers and tourists thronged the busy Times Square on Thursday indulging in Christmas shopping with festivities just around the corner, they were in for the shock of their life as a struggle ensued between an undercover cop and a street peddler. The violent struggle left the street vendor dead although the police officer did not suffer any major injury.

The dead vendor has been identified as 25 year old Raymond Martinez, who was recognized by the cop, Sergeant Christopher Newsom as he along with his brother were tricking tourists into buying CDs. Trouble began when the cop asked them to show their vendors’ tax stamp which resulted in the peddler trying to run away. The suspect then reportedly started firing from his machine gun and the cop retaliated by firing back. The peddler was shot in his arms and chest which resulted in his death. However, no one else was injured or hurt in the shoot out but the nearby shops suffered minor damages. Initially, the entire area was gripped with tension due to the shooting incident but soon after normalcy returned on the streets.

Sergeant Newsom, who works for the Midtown South Precinct’s peddler unit was patrolling Times Square when the incident unfolded. It was revealed that the dead street vendor normally approached pedestrians and wanted to know their names. They would then write the names in the CDs and would ask for money in return.

Reportedly, the dead peddler hailed from Bronx and police were looking for him in an assault case. His brother, Oliver, who was his accomplice in the crime was later released by the cops.