NEW YORK _ One person was killed and five people were injured in a bizarre clash on Staten Island that ended with a minivan fatally mowing down a gunman opening fire on the vehicle, authorities and witnesses said.
An argument between two groups outside Staten Island Criminal Court sparked the bloodshed at the corner of Monroe Avenue and Fort Place.
After a shot was fired, several people jumped into a van and sped off. As the gunman fired several rounds at the van, it vaulted the curb and slammed into the shooter, pinning him between the vehicle and the building, officials said.
"I thought it was something really serious, like a bomb or something, because there were so many cops," said Mike Odeh from the Fort Place Deli. "It was a van with about 10 guys inside. They tried to run off. There was one guy pinned between the van and the house."
The gunman died at the scene, officials said. His name was not immediately released.
Another man was critically injured. Four others suffered minor injuries.
The incident may have begun when, according to witnesses, three people began fighting in a courtroom at Staten Island Criminal Court _ roughly five blocks from the crash site _ and were arrested.
After they saw the judge, they were released and began warring with each other outside a bail bondsman's office across the street.
Some of the brawlers jumped into the minivan and sped off before crashing into 22 Fort Place, a bed and breakfast, according to neighbors.
A state courts spokesman confirmed that three people were detained outside the courtroom and given summonses for disorderly conduct earlier in the day. Each suspect had a court appearance and was released after seeing a judge.
"Subsequently, another altercation occurred in front of the building," spokesman Lucian Chalfen said. "The incident moved around the corner to Fort Place and St. Marks Place and while in pursuit, there was a radio call over calling shot's fired.
"Our officers on scene took cover and witnessed one individual shooting at a minivan containing members of the rival faction," he said. "The van plowed into the shooter and straight into a house. The shooter was killed."
Court officers surrounded the van and ordered the suspects to come out of the van. Four were taken into custody.
"They were right behind them ... right after them," said the owner of the home, who wished not to be named. "Immediately there was hundreds of (cops)."
Charges were pending.
Some witnesses reported hearing gunshots after the crash, although neither the NYPD nor the court officers fired their weapons, officials said.
