Yankee Opening Day Marred By Tragedy

The NYPD says a 45-year-old man shot himself near W. 161st Street and the Major Deegan Expressway Tuesday night.

Police say the suicide occurred after officers surrounded the Con Edison truck the man had stolen and began to move in on the carjacker. The incident occurred in the immediate vicinity of Yankee Stadium shortly after the Yankees completed their first game of the season.

Police say that earlier Tuesday night, the man--whose name police have not yet released-- had shot his girlfriend near E. 150th Street and Courtland Avenue, and then stole the Con Ed truck in order to flee the scene of the crime. But he encountered heavy traffic from fans leaving the Yankee game and was unable to get away.

At this point, there is some uncertainty about whether police fired any shots at the alleged carjacker. Note this WCBS report that says "Contrary to published reports, the NYPD said its officers did not fire a single shot in the incident." It is not clear which published reports WCBS is referring to.

Also, as of earlier Wednesday morning, the text on NY1's Web site mentioned a witness who alleged that police had shot the carjacker. However, this article--the most current on NY1's Web site as of 11:00 am Wednesday, makes no mention of this witness.

We will keep you posted on new developments in this tragedy. The girlfriend of the deceased has non-life-threatening injuries.