New York City, NY – A tragic incident unfolded in Queens when a New York Police Department officer, 31-year-old Jonathan Diller, was fatally shot during a routine traffic stop in Far Rockaway. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the officer’s death, stating that Diller was struck in the torso below his bullet-resistant vest and later succumbed to his injuries at Jamaica Hospital. Two suspects were apprehended following the shooting, with the driver having a history of 14 prior arrests and the passenger, the alleged shooter, having four.
During a press conference, Mayor Adams expressed outrage at the senseless act of violence that claimed the life of Officer Diller, emphasizing the dangers faced by law enforcement officers as they confront armed suspects. Police Commissioner Edward Caban mourned the loss of a hero and underscored Diller’s commitment to public safety. The tragic incident has left a family shattered, with a wife losing her husband and a young child bereft of their father.
The harrowing events unfolded during a routine traffic stop on Mott Ave. when Diller and his partner encountered armed suspects inside the vehicle. Amidst escalating tensions, shots were fired, resulting in Diller sustaining fatal injuries while his partner managed to wound one of the suspects. The armed suspect was subsequently transported to Jamaica Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny highlighted the events leading up to the shooting, revealing that the armed suspect had defied repeated orders to exit the vehicle before opening fire on Officer Diller. Described as a dedicated officer who made over 70 arrests during his service, Diller is mourned by his family and colleagues in blue. The city is left grappling with the loss of a brave protector and the enduring impact of such a tragic incident on the community.