CHASE TURNS FATAL

DEA Agent Shoots, Kills Suspect In Drug Investigation

An unarmed man carrying three kilograms of cocaine was fatally shot
yesterday during a struggle over a federal agent's gun after a car and foot
chase through East Flatbush, officials said.

The man, Egbert Dewgard, 31, was shot once in the right lower back by a
Drug Enforcement Administration agent, who caught him after the 17-block
chase, officials said. The agent's name was not released.

Dewgard, who owns a printing shop on Flatbush Avenue and has two sons and a
daughter, ages 3 to 9, was pronounced dead on arrival at Kings County
Hospital Center.

The DEA said in a statement that agents had heard Dewgard would be involved
in a "substantial drug transaction" yesterday. Agents trailed him from his
home to work and then to a third location, where they saw him pick up a
package, the statement said.

Agents stopped Dewgard's car, a black Nissan Maxima, on Utica Avenue and
Farragut Road. They tried to "box in" his car with their own cars by
pulling in front, in back and beside him. But Dewgard rammed the unmarked
cars and managed to maneuver his Nissan free.

The car chase continued until Dewgard jumped the curb on New York Avenue,
leaving his car in front of a phone booth and utility pole, officials said.
He fled on foot.

Officials said several DEA agents chased Dewgard west on New York Avenue,
until Dewgard cut across the street - dodging an agent who reached for him
from his car window, witnesses said - and was finally caught. The agent and
Dewgard struggled, and the agent's gun fired once, hitting Dewgard in the
right lower back, officials said.

The DEA agent who scuffled with Dewgard was treated for minor injuries and
released.

The DEA agents were watching Dewgard as part of a joint investigation with
the Police Department, according to John Gilbride of the DEA.

The shooting occurred around the corner from where George Louisgene, 23,
was fatally shot by police after he came at them with a knife and hook on
Jan. 16. Yesterday, witnesses said, a crowd of angry onlookers began
forming around Dewgard, who lay on the floor handcuffed and bleeding until
an ambulance arrived.

"I heard the shot and then I ran up to see what happened. He was cuffed, he
was lying there. His stomach was moving because he was breathing," said
Solomon Johnson, 25. "Regardless of what he did, he may have committed a
crime, they didn't have to shoot him, and after they shot him they didn't
have to just leave him there."

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said no weapon was recovered at the scene.
The cocaine, which has a street value of about $250,000, was found in a bag
next to Dewgard's body, officials said.

Dewgard's sister, Charlene Dewgard, said the family was surprised by the
allegations of drug possession and the shooting. "We want to get to the
bottom of this... He's never been in trouble before," she said.

About 20 people gathered around two votive candles last night at the spot
where Dewgard was killed. People who knew him said his family is from
Belize, and that he inherited his printing shop from his father after
working there since he was a little boy.

"I don't know why this happened. He was very beautiful, kind-hearted,
diligent worker, good father," said his aunt, Zora Dewgard. "This is very
painful and shocking news for us and our family. We're taking it very hard."