Officer fires at armed parolee on Long Island

WADING RIVER (WABC) -- A violent ex-convict is facing drug and weapons charges after police gunfire erupted inside his Long Island home Tuesday.

Thomas Michael Counihan, 60, is now being held in a Suffolk County psychiatric unit.

He allegedly pointed a gun at drug enforcement officers searching his Wading River home Tuesday night.

Officers had gone to the home to discussed a missed meeting when Counihan reportedly admitted he had marijuana. A police search uncovered 250 packets of heroin, two ounces of cocaine and unlabeled prescription bottles.

Counihan allegedly displayed a loaded Colt .45, pointing it at himself and then turning it on the officers.

Prosecutors say one officer fired at Counihan, but missed.

Authorities recovered Counihan's gun, as well as the drugs, from his home.

He is expected to be charged when he's released from the hospital.

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