In a tragic incident in Queens on Monday evening, a New York Police Department officer lost his life during a routine traffic stop when a habitual offender opened fire. The confrontation took place around 5:50 p.m. near 19-19 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway, where the 34-year-old suspect, with a history of 21 prior arrests, fired from the passenger seat of a vehicle, fatally wounding the officer in the abdomen. The officer, who was hit beneath his protective vest, was 31 years old.
The assailant, who was also injured in the exchange of gunfire with other officers on the scene, received a gunshot wound to his back. Both the officer and the suspect were urgently transported to Jamaica Hospital. Despite the medical team’s efforts, the officer was pronounced dead, marking a somber moment for the city and its police force. The condition of the suspect was not immediately clear following the incident.
The suspect, who had been released from a New York prison in 2021 after a five-year sentence for criminal possession of a controlled substance, had his parole conclude last year. His criminal record includes a prior prison term starting in 2011 for a first-degree assault charge, from which he was released in 2014.
Authorities also detained the 41-year-old driver of the vehicle, and a firearm was recovered at the scene, shedding light on the deadly encounter. Eyewitness Deon Peters recounted hearing gunshots and witnessing the aftermath, including the officer’s distressing calls for help, indicating the gravity and immediacy of the situation.
The fallen officer was a member of the NYPD’s specialized community response team, a detail that underscores the risks faced by those dedicated to maintaining public safety. The NYPD and City Hall, with Mayor Eric Adams visiting Jamaica Hospital, have yet to provide further details as the community mourns the loss of an officer committed to serving and protecting.