Cops Shot In The Bronx Released From Hospital

From CBS New York:

THE BRONX, NY – New York City’s police unions are raising concerns over the latest attacks on NYPD officers and whether they’re part of a larger trend of anti-police sentiment.

Officer Paul Stroffolini and Lt. Jose Gautreaux were shot within 12 hours of each other over the weekend in The Bronx, allegedly at the hands of the same suspect.

“Here we have New York City police officers, twice in 12 hours, targeted,” Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said Sunday. “By the grace of God we’re not planning a funeral.”

Both Stroffolini and Gautreaux have been treated and released from the hospital.

“They were very serious injuries,” Supervising chief surgeon Eli Kleinman told reporters. “Narrowly missing vital structures in both the neck and in arm, respectively. But we expect them to make a full recovery.”

Gautreaux, a 15-year veteran, walked out of the hospital on his own Monday to a round of applause from his brothers in blue.

Police Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch called the shootings proof that hatred against police is growing.

“Start backing our police officers,” said Lynch. “Our elected officials that stand and nod with us, it’s time you open your mouth and say, ‘this must stop.'”

Sergeant Benevolent Association President Ed Mullins echoed Lynch in a tweet, saying “Mayor DeBlasio, the members of the NYPD are declaring war on you.”

When asked about the tweet, Shea replied, “100% I think it is inappropriate.”

“It’s not helpful to where we’re going,” he said. “And when you look at what the mayor does for this city, he’s been extremely supportive of this NYPD.”

During Sunday’s news conference, Mayor Bill de Blasio stressed the important of a strong relationship between police and the communities they serve.

“We have to understand this as a city, as a nation, our entire society has to understand: An attack on a police officer is an attack on all of us, it’s an attack on a democratic society, a decent society,” he said. “It’s intolerable, and we will not accept it.”

U.S. Attorney William Barr also spoke about the shootings Monday, letting the NYPD know that Washington has its back.

“I’d just like to express my outrage at the attempted assassination of two New York City police officers,” he said. “I want them to know that they have the full support of this administration and this Department of Justice.”

The suspected gunman, 45-year-old Robert Williams, faces arraignment today on charges of attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and resisting arrest. Police said Williams had a lengthy criminal history and spent time in jail for attempted murder following a shootout with police in 2002.