The Queens District Attorney’s office stated that a Queens Village resident has been charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder for shooting at two NYPD officers, striking one of them, Brian Moore, 25, in the face. Moore was in critical condition after a shot to the head by 35-year-old Demetrius Blackwell at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. He passed away on May 4.
According to District Attorney Richard A. Brown, Moore and his partner were driving alongside Blackwell when he removed a firearm and fired several shots at Moore and his partner Erik Jansen, 30, who were still inside the vehicle. Moore was struck once in the head, causing severe injuries and required surgery at a local Queens hospital.
“Last night’s shooting once again reminds us of the dangers our police officers face each day as they carry out their sworn duty to protect and serve our communities,” said Brown.
Blackwell was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court in Kew Gardens on Sunday, May 3 also on the charges of one count of aggravated assault on a police officer, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of first-degree assault. If convicted, Blackwell faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
James Carver, president of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association, issued a statement as well.
“The murder of Officer Moore, who was only 25 years old but had already served five years on the NYPD, was a horrific act of cowardice against a young man who stood only to protect the community and had put his life on the line to protect the health and safety of others,” said Carver. “He comes from a long line of police officers. That includes his father and uncle, who are retired NYPD. Several of his cousins are on police forces in Long Island towns. Officer Moore was a life-long resident of Massapequa where he always made his neighbors feel safe.”
A five-year decorated officer, Moore was a graduate of Plainedge High School. The night of his passing his alma mater held a vigil on the football field, reaching a turnout of hundreds of friends, family members, peers and Massapequa/Plainedge residents who came to pay their respects for the slain officer.
While Moore was fighting for his life, friends, family and anyone willing to help visited the website www.BlueLivesMatterNYC.org, a registered 501-c5 nonprofit organization that has established a fund completely dedicated to Moore and his family for medical expenses and anything deemed necessary in regards to the tragic shooting.
As ordered by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, flags on County government buildings are to be flown at half-mast, effective May 4, 2015 through June 2, 2015 in honor of NYPD Officer Brian Moore and in honor of his service to the people of New York City.
