New York City, New York – A tragic incident unfolded in Queens, as 31-year-old NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller lost his life during a routine traffic stop. The identities of the two suspects involved in the fatal shooting have been confirmed by a NYPD source.
The suspected shooter, Guy Rivera, 34, has a history of at least four prior arrests, according to the source. Rivera’s accomplice, Lindy Jones, 41, has an even lengthier record with at least 12 prior arrests, including one in April 2023 for possession of a loaded firearm.
During a press conference, New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed frustration over the repeat offenders plaguing the city, referring to the suspects as “recidivist” criminals. The Mayor highlighted the challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with individuals who quickly return to the streets after committing serious crimes.
The fatal encounter occurred on Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway, Queens, as Diller and another officer from the NYPD Critical Response Team approached a vehicle with two men parked illegally at a bus stop. The situation escalated when one of the suspects, seated in the passenger side, brandished a gun at the officers, leading to a fatal exchange of gunfire.
Diller was struck below his bullet-resistant vest in the torso and succumbed to his injuries at Jamaica Hospital. He leaves behind a wife and young child, with colleagues mourning the loss of a dedicated officer who had served the NYPD for three years and had been involved in over 70 arrests during his career.
The suspected shooter, Rivera, is expected to survive his gunshot wounds. Records show that Rivera was released from a New York prison in 2021 after a 5-year sentence for drug possession, and he has a history of criminal charges dating back to 2011.
This tragic incident marks the first on-duty death of an NYPD officer since the 2022 shootings of Officers Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera, underscoring the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. The NYPD continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Officer Diller’s untimely death.