One of the officers entered the home and encountered Smith holding onto Rebello in a headlock, coming down the stairs, Azzata said.

WSJ: Hofstra student killed by police during break-in

Responding to a home invasion robbery Friday morning, the Nassau County officer was told a man with a gun was inside the house but he was confronted with an even more complicated, dangerous situation when he stepped inside, authorities said: an armed suspect, holding a young woman in a headlock and using her as a body shield.

WSJ: Police Responding to Home Invasion Were Unaware of Hostages in Standoff