NYPD Officer's Accused Killer Charged With 1st-Degree Murder: DA

NEW YORK CITY — The suspected killer of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller has been officially charged with murder, authorities said.

Guy Rivera, 34, faces a first-degree murder charge in Diller's death and a count of first-degree attempted murder for firing a gun at Diller's fellow officer during a violent traffic stop in Far Rockaway, prosecutors said Thursday.

He faces up to life in prison without parole, if convicted.

"Police Officer Diller was a father, husband and son simply doing his job to serve and protect," said Melinda Katz, district attorney for Queens, in a statement.

"He was killed for it. As alleged, the defendant opened fire and took the officer’s life and tried
to shoot another member of the NYPD."

The charges came through late Wednesday, as Rivera remained hospitalized after another officer shot him during a life-and-death struggle, police told Patch.

The Monday evening incident began as Diller and another officer conducted a traffic stop on a car illegally parked at a bus stop along Mott Avenue, officials said.

Rivera, a man with a long criminal record, pulled out a gun and shot Diller in the stomach, just below his bullet-resistant vest, police said. Another cop — Sgt. Sasha Rosen — only escaped being shot by Rivera when Rivera's gun jammed during a struggle, prosecutors said.

Rosen "felt tension in the defendant's hand as the defendant continued to attempt to move the barrel of the firearm backs towards Sergeant Rosen while the defendant's finger remained on the trigger of said firearm," a court document states.

The sergeant managed to shoot Rivera and end the scuffle, which left Diller bloodied and dying, authorities said.

Rivera's full list of charges are: first- and second-degree murder, attempted murder in the first and second degrees, four counts of criminal possession of weapon in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

Another man in the car — Lindy Jones, 41 — faces weapons charges in the incident, the New York Post first reported.

Diller's death has been mourned across New York City, in his Long Island community and across the nation. His wake Thursday afternoon is expected to be attended by former President Donald Trump.

Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday that President Joe Biden called that day to pass along his own condolences.

Related coverage: Donald Trump Expected To Attend Wake For Officer Diller: Reports