On-duty NYPD officer shot and killed while conducting vehicle stop in Far Rockaway
FAR ROCKAWAY, Queens (WABC) -- An on-duty NYPD officer was shot and killed while conducting a vehicle stop in Queens on Monday.
Two officers were conducting the traffic stop at 1919 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway around 5:48 p.m. as part of the NYPD Critical Response Team, which has been focusing on cars with fake plates, illegal tints or other quality-of-life issues.
NYPD officials say the officers stopped the vehicle, which had two men inside, because it was parked at a bus stop illegally.
When officers asked the individuals to step out of the vehicle, the suspect in the passenger's seat refused, pointed a gun at the officers and then fired, striking one of them in the torso just below their bullet-resistant vest.
The officer's partner then fired at the suspect, striking him in the back.
The wounded officer, Jonathan Diller, was rushed to Jamaica Hospital in critical condition, and later died.
The second officer was taken to the hospital with tinnitus.
The condition of the two suspects remains unknown.
"I heard pop, then it heard it again," said Deon Peters, who was working nearby with students, as part of the Police Explorers club, when the shots rang out. "I had my explorer kids with me in the office. I told them to go in the back."
According to officials, the driver of the vehicle was arrested for gun possession in April of 2023. He was back out in the street.
Adams called this incident a "recidivist" problem.
"Same bad people, doing bad things to good people, less than a year, he's back on the streets with another gun," he said.
The suspect's gun was recovered at the scene.
Hearts were understandably heavy during the NYPD briefing late Monday night.
Adams said the deadly shooting of Officer Diller is "extremely painful for this city."
"There will be plenty of time for anger, grief and for processing pain, but right now, our prayers are with our fallen officer's family, his fellow cops and every member of the New York City Police Department, but most of all, they're with the officer himself," NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said.
Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement in response to the 'senseless' killing.
"My prayers are with his family, loved ones and the members of the NYPD," said Hochul. "His heroism and service will never be forgotten."
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