Grand jury indicts Tyrone Howard in the shooting death of NYPD officer Randolph Holder

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A grand jury indicted the murder suspect charged in the shooting death of NYPD officer Randolph Holder.

The decision to indict Tyrone Howard happened Tuesday in a Manhattan courtroom.

Police shot Howard shot Officer Holder in the head last Tuesday evening in East Harlem. He was captured a short time later.

The gun involved in Holder's shooting was recovered by NYPD divers early Sunday morning. Ballistics tests then confirmed on Monday that the bullet that killed Holder was shot by that particular gun.

Howard's next court date has been set for Nov. 24 for his arraignment.

Presumed supporters of Howard quickly ducked for cover as they left the courtroom Tuesday afternoon. The 30-year old suspect was indicted on charges of first degree murder and robbery in the shooting death of Officer Holder.

Asked whether the indictment was expedited because of the high-profile case, defense attorney Michael Hurowitz said "They have to indict within a certain period of time, that's their obligation."

Howard did not set foot in the courtroom Tuesday, not after a chaotic first appearance last week which was jam-packed and punctuated with some of Holder's family members shouting and cursing at the suspect.

"I wasn't in court. I read a small account of what occurred in court and I think everybody would be in agreement that those things shouldn't happen," said Hurowitz.

Eyewitness News has learned that the gun used in the Holder shooting has been traced to a gun shop in South Carolina, legally sold in 2008, but at this point not traced to any other shooting.

None of this, however, equates to a conviction according to Hurowitz, his court-appointed attorney.

"My hope in this high-profile case is that he'll have his day in court and he won't be prejudged," said Hurowitz.