Second NYPD officer killed by friendly fire this year

A New York Police Department (NYPD) officer was killed by friendly fire Sunday, the second such case this year, the department announced Monday.

“This is a tragic case of friendly fire, but make no mistake, we lost a life of a courageous public servant solely due to a violent criminal who put the lives of the police and all the people we serve in jeopardy,” commissioner James O’Neill said in a statement, according to CNN.

{mosads}Brian Mulkeen, 33, was investigating gang activity with two other officers at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday, authorities said.

The officers got out of their vehicle to question a man who then fled, according to CNN.

In body-worn camera, Mulkeen could be heard yelling, “He’s reaching for it! He’s reaching for it!”

The two other officers shot 10 rounds, two of which hit Mulkeen, O’Neill said Monday.

The 27-year-old suspect was shot and killed.

A NYPD detective was fatally shot by police in February of this year.

An additional nine NYPD officers have died by suicide this year, according to CNN.