NYPD Cop Who Threw 13 Punches During Child Crisis Indicted: DA

HARLEM, NY - A New York Police Department officer was indicted this week for punching an adult about 13 times when responding to a call for an emotionally distressed child at a Harlem apartment building.

Christian Zapata, 36, was indicted Tuesday on one count of assault in a New York State Supreme Court indictment, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg said.

Zapata was a sergeant in the 32nd precinct in Harlem at the time of the incident, Bragg said.

“Christian Zapata is charged with repeatedly punching a victim who posed no immediate danger or physical threat,” Bragg said in a statement. “We will continue to impartially investigate instances where members of law enforcement use unnecessary force, because doing so is essential for enhancing public safety and confidence in the criminal justice system.”

The indictment stems from a Dec. 7, 2022 response to a 911 call in which Zapata and other members of the NYPD responded to a Harlem apartment to aid the distressed child.

The 43-year-old victim, identified by the New York Daily News as the longtime boyfriend of the child's parent, reportedly asked the officers multiple times to put on face masks and called 911 again to get help from a supervisor, Bragg said.

Per court records, none of the officers complied with the face mask request.

When the punching victim attempted to check on the child, Zapata told him that he was interfering with medics and would be arrested. When the victim swatted another officer's hand away, Zapata grabbed the victim by both wrists and fully restrained him, Bragg said.

Zapata then proceeded to punched the victim in the face and head over a dozen times in nine seconds, Bragg said.

Two other officers intervened and pulled Zapata away from the victim, Bragg said.

The NYPD suspended Zapata following the incident; police records show he was demoted to the rank of police officer in August.

Zapata has no previous disciplinary history, per NYPD records.