Man Gets Life In Prison For Murder Of East Harlem Police Officer

HARLEM, NY — The man who shot and killed NYPD officer Randoph Holder in Harlem will serve life in prison.

Tyrone Howard, 32, was sentenced Monday after being convicted of murder, robbery, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.

He shot Holder in the head after the officer confronted him on a bridge over the FDR at East 120th Street at 8:30 p.m. in October 2015.

Howard had fired shots into a group of people at East 102nd Street before stealing a bike and fleeing up the East River Promenade, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said. That's where he was confronted by Holder.

Howard shot Holder in the head. He was caught four blocks further north.

Officer Holder was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective on October 28, 2015.

“Life in prison is the most severe sentence a defendant can receive in New York State – it is fully warranted in this case,” said Vance.

“No one in the criminal justice system takes a life sentence lightly and I hope it brings a sense of closure to Detective Holder’s loved ones and all the members of the NYPD."

Photo of Randolph Holder courtesy of Mayor's Office