Police have found the gun they believe was used in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old NYPD Officer Brian Moore.
Moore, a five-year veteran, died Monday at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center after his family decided to take him off life support. He was shot Saturday in Queens Village.
Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said a Taurus Model 85 revolver was found in the backyard of a house on 104th Road in Queens Monday morning, the same road where the shooting occurred. Boyce said the gun is one of 23 guns that were stolen from a shop in Georgia in 2011, nine of which have been found in connection with arrests in New York City.
Moore is the third NYPD officer to be fatally shot in the line of duty in six months.
The NYPD says Moore and his partner pulled up to Demetrius Blackwell, 35, on Saturday night when they saw him adjusting his waistband in an odd manner.
Prosecutors say Blackwell turned and fired into the car, hitting Moore in the head.
Blackwell was caught after a short manhunt.
Queens D.A. Richard Brown announced Monday afternoon that charges against Blackwell are being upgraded to include murder in the first-degree. If found guilty, Blackwell could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Officials say Blackwell has a criminal history and already served time in prison for attempted murder. They say his also believed to be estranged from his family.
Anyone with information is urged to call the toll free hotline 1-800-COP-SHOT. All information is kept strictly confidential.
Speaking outside the hospital Monday, NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said, “I did not know this officer in person, in life. I have only come to know him in death – an extraordinary young man. It’s a great loss to his family, a great loss to this department and a great loss to this profession and this city.”
At a press conference later in the day, Bratton noted Moore's contributions to the police department, specifically that he made 150 arrests and received four medals for his work.
The mayor expressed his condolences to the Moore family.
"He lived his dream. He emulated his father and his uncle and he followed in their footsteps,” de Blasio said. “Our hearts are with the Moore family. This is a family that has done so much for the rest of us, a family that deserved only the best and is now feeling the most profound pain and loss.”
Governor Cuomo released a statatement, saying, “The shooting of Officer Brian Moore over the weekend was a deplorable act of violence that has robbed New York of one of its finest. As a member of the NYPD, Officer Moore put the safety of his fellow New Yorkers before his own, and we will remember his service with gratitude and pride. I join with all New Yorkers in mourning his passing and send my deepest condolences to his friends and family.”
Flags at 1 Police Plaza were lowered to half staff in Moore's honor.
JetBlue has offered free airfare for any officer who would like to attend Moore’s funeral service. The company did the same for the funerals of Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjin Liu.