Detectives Liam Casey and Joey Allegretto are conducting a surveillance operation with a view to apprehending Jordan Washington, a notorious drug dealer. On a tip from an informant, they venture into a block of flats where Washington is reported to be hiding. After Casey shoots his flat door lock, Washington fires a submachine gun through his front door, seriously wounding Casey. Police backup units arrive and swarm the building, but Washington executes a cunning escape in an NYPD squad car after murdering two police officers.