Eagle-eyed city fire marshals probing an arson busted a pair of attempted-murder suspects on the street Thursday night, authorities say.
The three fast-acting marshals were investigating a suspicious unrelated fire at the corner of Archer Street and Thieriot Avenue in Parkchester in The Bronx around 9:30 p.m. when a 29-year-old man was shot about a block away, at the Leland Avenue intersection, according to the FDNY and NYPD.
The wounded man was blasted in the back and rushed to Jacobi Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition, police said.
One of the marshals had been moving his vehicle on the corner when he spotted the two suspects – identified by cops as Jaquan Morant, 27, and Sebastian R. Santos, 18 – right before the shooting, including one with his arm up, fire officials posted on X on Friday.
Then four or five shots rang out, prompting the marshal to take cover behind his marked FDNY vehicle, officials said.
Grainy video shared by the department shows Morant and Santos both wearing backpacks as they then bolted up the block, authorities said.
That’s when the marshal emerged from behind his vehicle with his own firearm drawn, yelling, “Police! Put your hands up!” the department said.
Both suspects raised their hands, and at least one appeared to then kneel, according to the clip.
The two other marshals who were around the corner heard the initial gunshots and responded to provide cover for their colleague, the FDNY said.
The marshals recovered a Glock .380 firearm with a high-capacity magazine from the suspects, officials said.
The NYPD responded and took Morant and Santos into their custody.
Both were charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon, police said.