Wednesday, July 5, 2017

MAYOR DE BLASIO, COMMISSIONER O’NEILL HOLD MEDIA AVAILABILITY AT ST. BARNABAS HOSPITAL


  Mayor Bill de Blasio: You know just a few hours ago the city was celebrating our Independence Day, and it’s one of those days we look forward to all year. The NYPD did an extraordinary job keeping this city safe, and then just as that was ending tragedy struck and it’s such a painful reality at just the end of a very, very good thing.

A female police officer attacked out of nowhere, clinging to her life now. She is a 12-year veteran of the NYPD, member of the 4-6 Precinct. The Commissioner and I met with her family and it’s a very, very difficult moment for all of them.

I ask all New Yorkers to keep our officer and her family in your prayers and in your thoughts. She was on duty serving this city, protecting people, doing what she believed in, and doing the job she loved. And after this shocking and sudden attack, her fellow officers came to her aid immediately.

Everyone here at St. Barnabas Hospital has done extraordinary work in every effort to save her. And I want to express my appreciation to all the men and women of the NYPD and all of the medical staff and all of the employees of this hospital who are trying right now in every way they can to help our officer.

I also want to thank the community leaders who are here tonight or on their way – Councilmember Gibson, District Attorney Clarke – and just remind all New Yorkers that our officer’s family is in deep pain right now and so are all of the men and women of the NYPD, her extended family. Commissioner –

Commissioner O’Neill: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. A female police officer was shot and critically injured while sitting in a marked NYPD command vehicle near the corner of Morris Avenue and 1-8-3 Street in the Bronx around 12:30 am.

The officer was assigned with a partner to a mobile command post when the suspect fired through the vehicle’s window, striking her in the head. Her partner immediately radioed for assistance. An anti-crime team consisting of a sergeant and a police officer, who were in uniform, encountered a male subject running on Morris Avenue approximately one block from the scene of the shooting.

As they confronted him, he drew a revolver, the officers fired at him, striking and killing him. A silver revolver was recovered at the scene. We’re in the process of confirming the identity of the deceased.

During the encounter with the suspect another individual, believed to be a bystander, was struck by a bullet. That person is in stable condition.

The female officer was transported to this hospital – St. Barnabas Hospital – where she is listed in extremely critical condition. I want to thank the medical staff here at St. Barnabas for their efforts. Further details will be made available as they become available.

We are conducting an extensive search of video at this time.

Based on what we know right now, it is clear this was an unprovoked attack on police officers who were assigned to keep the people of this great city safe.

The police officer is a 12-year veteran to the job and she’s assigned to the 4-6 Precinct. You’ll hear from the PBA. Pat Lynch is going to say a few words. Pat –

Pat Lynch, President of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association: Thanks, Commissioner. You know, once again we’re here in this hospital as a police officer struggles for her life upstairs. This kind of violence against police officers cannot stand. We need the public’s help. When you see someone that’s making threats, doing something against police officers, you need to let us know. You need to be our eyes and ears.

We also have to remember the hundreds of police officers that are here now with their heads bowed in sorrow hoping for a miracle. Well, we need to support them as well because when they leave this hospital they’re going to get behind the wheel of a radio-car and patrol your neighborhood.

We want to thank them for the response. When a 13 comes over from a police officer, it’s all hands on deck. They were equally courageous as they rushed into danger themselves to get our hero police officer here to the hospital.

But as always, we can’t do it by ourselves. We need each and every one of your help. We need the media’s help. We need the folks on the street corner. We need the people in the apartments. We also need your help to watch our backs as we watch yours.

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