Suffolk police are investigating a shooting involving an off-duty New York Police Department officer at a bar in Miller Place early Thursday morning. 
A group of men leaving Napper Tandy’s Pub got into an altercation with another group who were in the parking lot when the officer drew his 9mm service weapon and shot 23-year-old Atiba Watkins of Central Islip once in the torso at approximately 1:05 a.m., according to 6th Squad detectives.
Witnesses said Watkins brandished a knife at the time he was shot and knife was recovered at the scene, police said.
Watkins was taken to Stony Brook University Medical Center where he was listed in critical but stable condition. The investigation is continuing.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the 6th Squad at 631-854-8652 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
