The man who police say fatally shot an NYPD officer during a traffic stop in Queens on Monday has been charged with murder, prosecutors said Thursday.
Guy Rivera, 34, faces charges of first- and second-degree murder and second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with Officer Jonathan Diller's death, the Queens district attorney's office said.
What You Need To Know
- Guy Rivera, who police say fatally shot NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller during a traffic stop in Queens on Monday, has been charged with murder, prosecutors say
- Rivera also faces first- and second-degree attempted murder charges for allegedly trying to fire his gun at Diller's partner, according to prosecutors
- He faces up to life in prison without parole if he is convicted, the Queens district attorney's office said. The driver of the car Rivera was sitting in when he allegedly shot Diller was arraigned on weapons charges Wednesday
He also faces first- and second-degree attempted murder charges for allegedly trying to fire his gun at a police sergeant after shooting Diller, the DA's office said.
Police said Rivera pulled a gun on Diller after the officer and his partner approached a car Rivera was seated in in Far Rockaway Monday evening. The NYPD said the car was illegally parked at a bus stop at the time.
Rivera, who was sitting in the passenger seat, "refused to cooperate" with Diller before shooting him in the stomach, prosecutors said.
After he shot Diller, Rivera aimed his still-loaded gun at a police sergeant, who pushed the weapon away, the DA's office said. Rivera tried to point the gun back at the sergeant, but the weapon was jammed, according to prosecutors.
Diller's partner ultimately shot and injured Rivera, who was hospitalized in stable condition, police said. Diller was rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, the NYPD said.
The car's driver, Lindy Jones, 41, of Edgemere, was arraigned on weapons charges Wednesday. Prosecutors said they found an illegal gun in Jones' glove compartment.
Rivera, whose last known address was in Woodside, faces up to life in prison without parole if he is convicted, the DA's office said.
The NYPD on Thursday said he was still hospitalized and in police custody. His attorney information wasn't immediately available.
In a statement, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Diller was "a father, husband and son simply doing his job to serve and protect" when he was shot.
"As alleged, the defendant opened fire and took the officer’s life and tried to shoot another member of the NYPD," Katz said. "We will not rest until we have achieved justice for Officer Diller, his family and his brothers and sisters in the NYPD who put their lives on the line to protect us."
Although Diller’s family is mourning, they’re getting some help to rebuild their lives. The Tunnel to Towers Foundations announced it will pay off the family’s mortgage.
“It’s a small piece, but it’s a huge financial relief for them,” John Huvane, the vice president in the Line of Duty programs, said.
Huvane, who works with the organization, said Diller and his wife have only been married for three years. The same amount of time he had been an officer.
“This is a young family. Their lives have just started,” he said.
Last year, the organization paid off 200 mortgages.
The owner of Barstool Sports David Portnoy said he’s donating $1.5 million to the family, which is half of the money that was raised and the other half he is matching.
“I know nothing can cure this. Money can’t cure this, but it’s the least we can do,” Portnoy said in a video on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Flags were ordered to fly at half-staff Thursday.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday for Diller.