A New York Police officer was killed in Queens on Monday while conducting a traffic stop.
Officer Jonathan Diller, 31, was hit in the stomach just below his bulletproof vest. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he passed away, WABC stated.
Authorities said Diller and his partner had walked up to a car that had been illegally parked at a bus stop late Monday afternoon. They requested the individuals inside to step out, but the passenger declined and instead aimed a gun at the officers and shot.
Diller’s partner fired back, hitting the suspect in the back.
The suspects were identified by the police as Guy Rivera, 34, and Lindy Jones, 41, but did not specify who pulled the trigger. The shooter is currently in the hospital, and no charges have been filed yet. The gun was found at the scene.
“I heard a loud noise, then it happened again,” said Deon Peters, who was nearby working with students as part of the Police Explorers club when the gunshots were heard. “I had my explorer kids with me in the office. I told them to go in the back.”
Law enforcement mentioned the driver had previously been arrested for gun possession in April 2023. Mayor Eric Adams referred to the shooting as a “repeat offender” issue.
“The same criminals, inflicting harm on innocent people, less than a year, he’s back on the streets with another gun,” he remarked.
The New York Post stated “sources” indicated Rivera was the one who fired the gun and that he had 21 prior arrests.
Diller was married and had a child. Records indicate Diller joined the NYPD in 2021 and had been commended for outstanding performance three times, The New York Times reported.
“We should never be here,” Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban expressed at a press conference. “And we’re here far too many times,” he added.
[Featured image: Jonathan Diller/NYPD]