Suspect charged with murder in NYPD friendly fire death
Source: Associated Press
Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press
Updated 9:48 pm CST, Wednesday, February 13, 2019
NEW YORK (AP) — A robbery suspect with a long rap sheet and a habit of bizarre stunts was charged Wednesday with murder in the death of a New York City police detective struck by friendly fire while responding to a stick-up Tuesday night.
Detective Brian Simonsen died after being hit once in the chest by crossfire as he and six other officers fired 42 shots at suspect Christopher Ransom, who charged toward the entrance of a Queens store and mimicked pulling the trigger of a fake handgun, police said.
"You have to understand, this happens in seconds," Chief of Department Terence Monahan said. "It goes from 0 to 60. You're investigating a possible crime and all of a sudden someone is charging at you, pointing what you believe to be a firearm, simulating firing at you. It raises everything very quickly."
Simonsen's supervisor, Sgt. Matthew Gorman, and Ransom were also wounded. Gorman was hit in the leg. The extent of Ransom's injuries is unclear. Both are listed in stable condition.
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/NYPD-mourns-detective-killed-by-friendly-fire-13612906.php
