The New York City Police Department is investigating whether three officers were poisoned Monday evening at a Shake Shack in Lower Manhattan.
The Detectives’ Endowment Association, a labor union supporting 20,000 active and retired detectives in New York City, said the three officers, who were not immediately identified, were “intentionally poisoned” by one or more workers at the Shake Shake restaurant on Broadway and Fulton Street.
“After tasting the milk shakes they purchased they became ill, making it necessary for them to go to an area hospital. Fortunately, our fellow officers were not seriously harmed,” read a statement from DEA President Paul DiGiacomo and the DEA Board of Officers.
According to an early report from NY1, police are investigating whether a chemical was put in the milkshakes. The local CBS affiliate reported just before midnight that no arrests have been made.
A statement from the New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, a union representing officers, said the three officers discovered “a toxic substance, believed to be bleach” in their drinks.
#BREAKING When NYC police officers cannot even take meal without coming under attack, it is clear that environment in which we work has deteriorated to a critical level. We cannot afford to let our guard down for even a moment. pic.twitter.com/fbMMDOKqbV
— NYC PBA (@NYCPBA) June 16, 2020
“We are horrified by the reports of police officers injured at our 200 Broadway Shack in Manhattan. We are working with the police in their investigation right now,” Shake Shake said in a tweet.
We are horrified by the reports of police officers injured at our 200 Broadway Shack in Manhattan. We are working with the police in their investigation right now.
— SHAKE SHACK (@shakeshack) June 16, 2020
The incident comes at a time of widespread protests against law enforcement’s use of force and calls to defund the police three weeks after George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died on Memorial Day after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes despite his pleas for air.
Hundreds of NYPD officers have been injured throughout the last three weeks of protests. Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik told Fox News earlier this month that 600 police officers were considering leaving the force amid the sometimes violent demonstrations. The NYPD is also undergoing reforms, including the reassignment of 600 undercover officers in the Anti-Crime Unit, in a shift to focus on more community-based efforts.
“Police in New York City and across the country are under attack by vicious criminals who dislike us simply because of the uniform we wear. Emboldened by pandering elected officials, these cowards will go to great lengths to harm any member of law enforcement,” the DEA statement said. “We MUST be more vigilant than ever. We urge you to not buy food from locations unknown to you. Keep your eyes open and be alert at all times. Make sure you always stay with your partner — and back one another up. Inspect your vehicle — personal and department — before you drive.”
UPDATE: Investigators determined early Tuesday morning that there was “no criminality” perpetrated by any employee, according to NYPD Detective Chief Rodney Harrison.
