One New York City police officer is dead and another one is critically wounded after a shooting following a response to a call about a domestic dispute in Harlem on Friday night, according to city officials.
Both officers were rushed to the hospital after the shooting. The deceased officer has been identified as 22-year-old Jason Rivera. The other officer “is fighting for his life to survive,” according to New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell. The wounded officer has been identified as 27-year-old Wilbert Mora.
The suspect, identified as 47-year-old Lashawn McNeil, was also shot, officials said in the press conference hosted by Mayor Eric Adams, who declared this to be an “attack on the city of New York.”
Tonight, we mourn the loss of a hero officer — a son, husband, and friend. Only 22 years old, Police Officer Jason Rivera was murdered in the line of duty. We vow to #NeverForget Jason as his fellow Finest vow to honor his tremendous legacy of service & the ultimate sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/5zsx45XiM4
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 22, 2022
There are conflicting reports about his condition. A New York City Police Department spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that McNeil was killed, but the Associated Press reported NYPD spokesperson Lt. John Grimpel said McNeil is alive and hospitalized in critical condition, contrary to prior reports.
Three officers responded to a 911 call from a mother who was arguing with her son, police said. As two of the officers walked down a narrow hallway in the apartment, the suspect opened a door in front of the officers and fired on them, authorities said. When the suspect attempted to escape, a third officer shot the suspect twice, according to authorities.
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The suspect had four prior arrests outside New York City, officials said in the briefing. The NYPD shared a photo of the gun they said was used by the suspect to shoot the officers.
Below is a picture of the gun used to shoot our officers. pic.twitter.com/TkcMR2tr83
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 22, 2022
“My heart is with Harlem, the officers and their families, and [the NYPD] after tonight’s tragic shooting,” Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted. “My team is ready to support Mayor Eric Adams in any way necessary.”
My heart is with Harlem, the officers and their families, and @NYPDnews after tonight’s tragic shooting. My team is ready to support @NYCMayor in any way necessary.
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) January 22, 2022
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Earlier, the NYPD advised residents on social media to avoid the area where the shooting occurred and to instead “use an alternate route when traveling nearby” and “expect a police presence in the surrounding area.”
In the briefing, Adams said five police officers had been shot in recent days, including the two officers in Friday’s shooting. “It is time for us to save our city, and we are going to need everyone on the same page to achieve this task,” the mayor said.
Police asked the public to pray for the NYPD and the family members of the officer who was killed.
Tonight, an NYPD police officer has lost his life — murdered — and another is gravely injured. The pain is incomprehensible for their loved ones, fellow officers, and NYC. Pray for the family of our young officer & for his partner who lies in a hospital bed fighting for his life. pic.twitter.com/qEPlVgHUo8
— Commissioner Sewell (@NYPDPC) January 22, 2022
“Tonight, an NYPD police officer has lost his life — murdered — and another is gravely injured. The pain is incomprehensible for their loved ones, fellow officers, and NYC. Pray for the family of our young officer & for his partner who lies in a hospital bed fighting for his life,” Sewell said in a tweet.
