Queens, New York – Last Monday, a tragic incident unfolded in Far Rockaway, Queens when NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller was fatally shot by a suspected gunman. The chain of events began when an NYPD sergeant noticed a man walking with what appeared to be a gun in his hoodie and directed Officer Diller and his partner to investigate, as revealed by NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny during a briefing at police headquarters in Manhattan on Wednesday.
The review of body camera footage indicated that the suspected gunman, identified as Guy Rivera, walked back to an illegally parked Kia Soul after the sergeant’s observation. Queens prosecutors alleged that the officer on patrol had initially spotted Rivera with what appeared to be a gun in his front pocket, prompting the subsequent series of events leading to the fatal shooting of Officer Diller.
The confrontation escalated when a “tug-of-war” between Officer Diller and Rivera ensued over the car door, resulting in Diller being shot in the abdomen by Rivera. Diller’s partner fired back, hitting Rivera in the back. Despite initial reports solely attributing the confrontation to the illegally parked Kia, further details have emerged regarding the events that transpired before Diller’s tragic death.
Following the shooting, Rivera attempted to aim his gun at another NYPD officer, Sgt. Sasha Rosen, who managed to deflect the weapon away from his body. Rivera’s actions led to indictments on charges of first- and second-degree murder in connection with Officer Diller’s killing. Meanwhile, Lindy Jones, the driver of the Kia, is facing weapons charges.
During the briefing, Chief Kenny disclosed that the weapon used to kill Officer Diller was legally purchased in 1996 in Virginia. Another gun found in the Kia had a defaced serial number, impeding traceability. Officer Diller, posthumously promoted to detective first grade, leaves behind his wife and 1-year-old son.
Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry recounted the heartbreaking moments at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where efforts to save Officer Diller’s life were unsuccessful despite initial optimism. The emotional toll of Diller’s passing weighed heavily on officials involved in the Community Response Team, highlighting the risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.