Driver charged, held without bail in deadly shooting of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller
FAR ROCKAWAY, Queens (WABC) -- The first of two suspects has been charged and held without bail in the killing of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller during a traffic stop in Queens.
Diller, 31, who lived in Massapequa Park with his wife Stephanie and nearly 1-year-old son, joined the NYPD in February 2021.
Both suspects arrested in his murder have lengthy criminal records.
Lindy Jones, 41, was driving the vehicle at the time of the deadly shooting and Guy Rivera, 34, is the suspected gunman who pulled the trigger, police say.
More than 100 NYPD officers packed the courtroom in Queens for his arraignment. Jones is charged with criminal possession of a weapon and possession of a defaced firearm -- meaning it was a ghost gun.
Prosecutors highlighted his violent history and missing court dates in arguing for holding him without bail. Judge Maria Gonzalez agreed he poses a flight risk and remanded Jones.
Prosecutors obtained a search warrant for the SUV as they build their case against Jones and Rivera, and that is when a second gun was found during a search of the vehicle.
Police said Wednesday that the gun used by Rivera was found to have jammed after it fired the single shot that killed Officer Diller.
Investigators now believe the suspects were casing a T-Mobile store on Mott Avenue on Monday evening when Diller and another officer asked the suspects to move their illegally parked car from a bus stop.
Officials say they refused to roll down their windows. Diller ordered the passenger, Rivera, to show his hands. But instead, Rivera allegedly pulled the trigger of a gun and shot Diller below his vest.
Officials say Diller's partner then fired at Rivera, striking him in the back. Rivera remains hospitalized at Jamaica Hospital on Wednesday, where he is being treated for the gunshot wound to the back.
Records show Rivera has been arrested by the NYPD 21 times -- nine of them felonies. He was released from prison in September 2021 after serving nearly five years for criminal sale of a controlled substance. He previously spent three years in state prison for a 2011 assault and was released in October 2014.
Jones has 14 prior arrests. He was arrested for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon for having a loaded firearm in Far Rockaway on April 17, 2023. He was out on $75,000 bail. He previously served 10 years in prison on 2003 attempted murder and robbery charges and was released in November 2013.
Members of Diller's community have vowed to honor the fallen officer's memory.
"I could never forget who he is - he was adamant about serving this community," Far Rockaway resident Saprina Brown said.
A wake for Diller will be held Thursday and Friday at Massapequa Funeral Home while a funeral is set for Saturday at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church.
Former President Donald Trump called Diller's family while they were making funeral arrangements and the NYPD is now preparing for him to attend day one of the wake.
Diller is the first NYPD officer killed in the line of duty since 2022, when officers Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera were fatally shot in a Harlem apartment building after responding to a domestic disturbance call.
ALSO READ | Long Island community comes together to mourn fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller
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