Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Brooklyn man pleaded guilty today for shooting a Nassau police officer who responded to a report of a home invasion in New Hyde Park in August 2013.
Cong Xu, 22, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty to Assault in the 1st Degree (a B violent felony) and Burglary in the 1st Degree (a B violent felony) before Acting Nassau Supreme Court Justice Philip Grella. The defendant received a sentencing commitment by Justice Grella of 30 years in prison. Xu is due back in court for sentencing on April 2.
“Police officers risk their lives every day as they work to keep our communities safe from armed and dangerous criminals,” Acting DA Singas said. “This burglar had a handgun when he entered a Nassau family’s home. 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.”
Acting DA Singas said that on Aug. 14, 2013, homeowners at a residence on Campbell Street in New Hyde Park called 911 to report a burglary in their home. Members of the Nassau County Police Department responding to the home then confronted Xu as he fled the residence. As Xu ran away from the officers, he turned and fired several rounds from a handgun. One of the bullets struck NCPD Officer Mohit Arora in the lower abdomen.
Officer Arora was transported to North Shore Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
Xu was apprehended by police on Flower Lane and Nugent Street.
Xu’s co-defendant, Renhang Qiu, 23, of Brooklyn, who aided and abetted Xu in the home burglary, was apprehended by police on Lakeville Road and Sylvia Lane. Qiu pleaded guilty in May 2014 to Burglary in the 1st Degree before Justice Grella, who gave the defendant a sentencing commitment of seven years in prison. He is due back in court for sentencing on Feb. 23.
Assistant District Attorney Christine Geier of Acting DA Singas’ Major Offense Bureau is prosecuting the case. Xu is represented by Scott Tulman, Esq.; Qiu is represented by Steven Losquadro, Esq.
