Police Officer on Modified Duty After Shooting Raccoon in Rockaway Beach
A New York Police Department officer has been placed on modified duty following an incident in Rockaway Beach, Queens, where a raccoon was fatally shot after aggressively charging toward people. The incident occurred on Thursday, January 27, 2026, at approximately 7:45 a.m., after a 911 call reported a potentially perilous animal.
According to a statement released by the NYPD, officers were attempting to guide the raccoon away from a boardwalk and toward a safer environment when the animal unexpectedly attacked. an officer discharged their firearm, striking the raccoon. Fortunately, no individuals sustained injuries during the encounter.
the officer involved has not been publicly identified, pending the outcome of an internal investigation. The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division is currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding the shooting, a standard procedure whenever an officer uses their weapon.As of Monday, January 30, 2026, it remains unclear weather the raccoon will be tested for rabies, according to police sources. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available.