A man wanted for alleged child molestation was killed Monday in a New York City police shootout that also left three law enforcement officers wounded.
Two U.S. marshals and one NYPD officer were attempting to arrest 32-year-old Charles Mozdir at a smoke shop in the Manhattan neighborhood of Greenwich Village when Mozdir open fired on the officers, PIX 11 reported.
The officers shot back at the suspect, killing him during the shootout that occurred on West Fourth Street at around 1 p.m.
Mozdir, from California, was wanted in connection to the June 2012 sexual abuse of a sick 7-year-old boy he was babysitting while his mother slept nearby, according to a recent episode of CNN's "The Hunt" featuring Mozdir. Police found child pornography and images of bestiality on his cellphone and computer, CNN reported.
Mozdir was arrested and released on bail in San Diego County several days after the alleged abuse. But he never showed up for his arraignment that was scheduled for June 15, 2012. The suspect remained a fugitive until he was killed Monday.
One marshal suffered a gunshot wound to the buttocks, PIX 11 reported. The other marshal was shot in the arm and the police officer was shot twice in the stomach. All three were taken to Bellevue Hospital are said to be in stable condition.
"We pray everything we are hearing is true and that these officers will be OK in the long run," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said, USA Today reported.
Mozdir was also wanted for allegedly abusing another boy he was caring for. John Walsh, host of "The Hunt," told CNN that on Sunday when the show re-aired police received a tip with information leading to an address for the suspect.
"That's one more low-life who's off the streets," Walsh told CNN.
