Brooklyn Prison Guard Accused Of Chasing And Shooting At Civilian Car

BROOKLYN, NY — A correctional officer at Metropolitan Detention Center-Brooklyn has been accused of chasing a civilian car from the Sunset Park facility to the Brooklyn Bridge and firing three gunshots at the car, hitting a passenger, the United States Attorney Eastern District of New York said on Monday.

The complaint, unsealed on Monday in Brooklyn federal court, accuses correctional officer Leon Wilson, 49, of "willfully depriving an individual of his constitutional rights while acting under color of law."

“Correctional officers are sworn to uphold the law, but, as alleged, this defendant violated his oath and position by starting a dangerous car chase through the streets of Brooklyn ending with him shooting wildly at the passengers in the other car without justification, and wounding one,” United States Attorney Breon Peace said.

Court documents accuse Wilson of unlawfully pursuing a civilian in a BMW car from the facility’s property line all the way to the Brooklyn Bridge, speeding and running red lights on Sept. 4, 2023.

Court documents accuse Wilson of firing three shots at the car two minutes after the chase began, striking a passenger in the backseat of the BMW. Court documents also say Wilson never reported the on-duty shooting to the New York Police Department, MDC-Brooklyn or Bureau of Prisons personnel.

“My Office is committed to protecting the civil rights of everyone in this district and will hold accountable those who violate them,” Peace said.

Wilson was arrested on Sunday and is expected to be arraigned on Monday afternoon by United States Magistrate Judge Marcia M. Henry.

Wilson is being represented by attorney Steven Lynch in court, who did not respond to a request for comment.