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Police arrest suspect in New York officer's fatal shooting Police arrest suspect in New York officer's fatal shooting
(about 1 hour later)
Police have arrested a man suspected in the killing a New York City police officer on Tuesday night in East Harlem.Police have arrested a man suspected in the killing a New York City police officer on Tuesday night in East Harlem.
Tyrone Howard, who has had a warrant on a separate issue out for his arrest since 17 September, is expected to be charged with fatally shooting officer Randolph Holder during a gunfight Tuesday night on a pedestrian bridge after he allegedly stole a bike.Tyrone Howard, who has had a warrant on a separate issue out for his arrest since 17 September, is expected to be charged with fatally shooting officer Randolph Holder during a gunfight Tuesday night on a pedestrian bridge after he allegedly stole a bike.
Holder was a 33-year-old native of Guyana who immigrated to the US before joining the NYPD. Mayor Bill de Blasio described Holder as “an immigrant who wanted to give back to his city and his country, and who had an exemplary record as a police officer, who did everything the right way”.Holder was a 33-year-old native of Guyana who immigrated to the US before joining the NYPD. Mayor Bill de Blasio described Holder as “an immigrant who wanted to give back to his city and his country, and who had an exemplary record as a police officer, who did everything the right way”.
The Empire State Building and the World Trade Center were to be lit up in blue in Holder’s honor on Wednesday evening.
Howard, along with 18 other people, was arrested in October 2014 and charged with selling crack cocaine at an East Harlem public housing complex. Howard was released into a court-mandated drug diversion program, which is meant to keep some offenders from overcrowding jails.Howard, along with 18 other people, was arrested in October 2014 and charged with selling crack cocaine at an East Harlem public housing complex. Howard was released into a court-mandated drug diversion program, which is meant to keep some offenders from overcrowding jails.
According to the police, Howard was also suspected of being involved in the shooting of a 28 year old man on 1 September.According to the police, Howard was also suspected of being involved in the shooting of a 28 year old man on 1 September.
“The perpetrator involved here was obviously a hardened, violent criminal and should not have been on the streets, so there’s more we have to do and more our criminal justice system has to do,” Bratton said at a press conference on Wednesday.“The perpetrator involved here was obviously a hardened, violent criminal and should not have been on the streets, so there’s more we have to do and more our criminal justice system has to do,” Bratton said at a press conference on Wednesday.
Court officials disagreed and said Howard qualified for the program. Since he was charged with selling and possessing drugs and was addicted, he was “the perfect candidate in many ways”, state court system spokesman David Bookstaver told the Associated Press.Court officials disagreed and said Howard qualified for the program. Since he was charged with selling and possessing drugs and was addicted, he was “the perfect candidate in many ways”, state court system spokesman David Bookstaver told the Associated Press.
After Howard pleaded guilty to the drug charge in May, he was ordered to attend status meetings every month. He stopped attending on 21 August and an arrest warrant was issued on 17 September.After Howard pleaded guilty to the drug charge in May, he was ordered to attend status meetings every month. He stopped attending on 21 August and an arrest warrant was issued on 17 September.
According to police, at 8.30pm, Holder and his fellow officers responded to reports of gunshots at East 102nd Street and First Avenue. A male victim told responding officers that his bike had been stolen at gunpoint. Witnesses said that several men had fled, heading north on FDR Drive.According to police, at 8.30pm, Holder and his fellow officers responded to reports of gunshots at East 102nd Street and First Avenue. A male victim told responding officers that his bike had been stolen at gunpoint. Witnesses said that several men had fled, heading north on FDR Drive.
Holder, a member of the housing bureau police service area (PSA) 5, confronted the suspect as he rode a bicycle northbound at East 120th Street along FDR Drive.Holder, a member of the housing bureau police service area (PSA) 5, confronted the suspect as he rode a bicycle northbound at East 120th Street along FDR Drive.
Shots were exchanged and Holder was hit in the head. He was taken to Harlem hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead at 10.22pm.Shots were exchanged and Holder was hit in the head. He was taken to Harlem hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead at 10.22pm.
Following the altercation, the suspect fled and was apprehended at 124th Street. He was taken to Cornell Medical Center with gunshot wounds in his leg.Following the altercation, the suspect fled and was apprehended at 124th Street. He was taken to Cornell Medical Center with gunshot wounds in his leg.
The police also arrested three other men on Tuesday night at East 111th Street and FDR Drive. They are in custody and being questioned about their involvement. As of Wednesday morning, FDR Drive was closed between 96th Street and 125th Street for ongoing investigations.The police also arrested three other men on Tuesday night at East 111th Street and FDR Drive. They are in custody and being questioned about their involvement. As of Wednesday morning, FDR Drive was closed between 96th Street and 125th Street for ongoing investigations.
At a press conference on Wednesday morning, Bratton said that Holder was the fourth New York City police officer “murdered in this city in the last 11 months”. In 2015, 101 police officers have died in the line of duty in the US, with 33 of those deaths caused by gunfire, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.At a press conference on Wednesday morning, Bratton said that Holder was the fourth New York City police officer “murdered in this city in the last 11 months”. In 2015, 101 police officers have died in the line of duty in the US, with 33 of those deaths caused by gunfire, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
“New York City police officers, every day, go out and carry themselves like superheroes on the street,” said Pat Lynch, president of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association. “But the reality is, when we’re attacked we bleed, when we bleed we die, and when we die we cry.”“New York City police officers, every day, go out and carry themselves like superheroes on the street,” said Pat Lynch, president of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association. “But the reality is, when we’re attacked we bleed, when we bleed we die, and when we die we cry.”
Holder, whose father and grandfather were also police officers in Guyana, was appointed to the department in July 2010. Bratton said he can understand the “bravery” Holder exhibited not just through his actions, but those of his father, who addressed the officers from PSA 5, following Holder’s death. Bratton explained that “as they tried to comfort him, he, in fact, was comforting them”.Holder, whose father and grandfather were also police officers in Guyana, was appointed to the department in July 2010. Bratton said he can understand the “bravery” Holder exhibited not just through his actions, but those of his father, who addressed the officers from PSA 5, following Holder’s death. Bratton explained that “as they tried to comfort him, he, in fact, was comforting them”.
Holder exhibited his bravery when he “did what every other officer in the NYPD does when the call comes”, according to the police commissioner.Holder exhibited his bravery when he “did what every other officer in the NYPD does when the call comes”, according to the police commissioner.
“He ran toward danger,” Bratton said. “It was the last time he will respond to that call.”“He ran toward danger,” Bratton said. “It was the last time he will respond to that call.”
As the ambulance carrying Holder’s body left the hospital early on Wednesday morning, dozens of NYPD officers saluted the vehicle, according to the AP. After its departure, some of the officers embraced.As the ambulance carrying Holder’s body left the hospital early on Wednesday morning, dozens of NYPD officers saluted the vehicle, according to the AP. After its departure, some of the officers embraced.