A New York City police officer was killed in the line of duty Monday when an ex-con with a lengthy rap sheet opened fire from inside a vehicle the cop had pulled over in what at first appeared a routine traffic stop.
At approximately 5:48 p.m., the slain officer and his partner on the NYPD Critical Response Team were engaged in a traffic stop on Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway, Queens. The team's primary objective is to address violations such as counterfeit license plates, unlawful window tints, and other quality-of-life concerns related to vehicles.
According to NYPD officials, the officers pulled over the vehicle for illegally parking at a bus stop.
The officers ordered the suspect to get out of the car but instead, he pulled out a gun and fired at the cops from inside the vehicle, fatally hitting one of them in the abdomen under his protective vest.
The partner opened fire and struck the shooter in the back. The mortally injured officer was transported to Jamaica Hospital but could not be saved.
The suspect was also taken to Jamaica Hospital, and police have not yet provided an update on his condition.
State records said the suspected shooter was released from a New York prison in 2021 after serving 5 years for criminal possession of a controlled substance. The parole in that case expired last year.
According to records, he was incarcerated again in 2011 for a first-degree assault charge and was released in 2014. The driver of the car was arrested and placed under detention, sources said.
Witness Deon Peters was in his nearby office when he heard the sound of gunshots. He then witnessed two individuals, one of whom was an officer, lying on the ground, the New York Post reported.
According to The Post's sources, the officer who was killed was a member of the specialized community response team.
