Man Pleads Guilty in New Hyde Park Cop Shooting

A man charged with shooting a Nassau police officer after a New Hyde Park home invasion in August 2013 pleaded guilty Tuesday, authorities said.

Cong Xu, 22, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and first degree burglary, according to Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Xu, who faces 30 years in prison, is due back in court for sentencing on April 2.

Singas said that on Aug. 14, 2013, residents on Campbell Street in New Hyde Park called 911 to report a burglary in their home. Nassau County Police responded and confronted Xu as he fled the house. As Xu ran away from the officers, he turned and fired several rounds from a handgun. One of the bullets struck Officer Mohit Arora in the lower abdomen, the DA’s office said.

Arora was transported to North Shore Hospital and treated for his injuries. He has since returned to work, but is on reduced work load, NBC New York reported.

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Officers located Xu, taking him into custody on Flower Lane and Nugent Street.

“Police officers risk their lives every day as they work to keep our communities safe from armed and dangerous criminals,” Singas said, in a statement.

“This burglar had a handgun when he entered a Nassau family’s home,” she added. “Officer Mohit Arora responded and was shot protecting innocent civilians. As a result of Officer Arora’s heroism and today’s guilty plea, this defendant will no longer be a threat to others for a long time to come.”

Xu’s co-defendant, Renhang Qiu, 23, of Brooklyn, was apprehended by police on Lakeville Road and Sylvia Lane. Qiu pleaded guilty in May 2014 to first-degree burglary, and faces seven years in prison. He is due back in court for sentencing on Feb. 23.

Xu, a Chinese national, could be deported after he finishes his sentence, CBS New York reported.

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