NYPD Officer Fatally Shot After Approaching Car Illegally Parked at Bus Stop, Leaving Behind Wife and Son

The fatal shooting occurred at about 5:48 p.m. local time on Monday in Queens when two officers approached the illegally parked car

Body of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller placed into ambulance at the dignified transfer. NYPD officer Jonathan Diller fatally shot while conducting a vehicle stop was given a dignified transfer at Jamaica Hospital in Queens. Body of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller placed into ambulance at the dignified transfer. NYPD officer Jonathan Diller fatally shot while conducting a vehicle stop was given a dignified transfer at Jamaica Hospital in Queens.
Image of NYPD Emergency Service Unit . Photo:

Kyle Mazza/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

An NYPD officer was killed on Monday after approaching a car that was illegally parked at a bus stop.

Police Commissioner Edward Caban said in a press conference posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the incident occurred at about 5:48 p.m. local time in Queens when two officers approached the illegally parked car.

One of the officers, who police have named as Officer Jonathan Diller, was shot underneath his bulletproof vest.

"The officer's partner also fired, striking the suspect,” Caban said, adding that the wounded officer was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center but later died, leaving behind a wife and son.

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Officer Jonathan Diller Officer Jonathan Diller
Officer Jonathan Diller.

New York City Police Department via AP

“On Monday, March 25, 2024, at approximately 1748 hours, in the vicinity of 19-19 Mott Avenue, within the confines of the 101 Precinct, officers from the Patrol Borough Queens South Community Response Team conducted a car stop,” the NYPD wrote in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “One male exited the vehicle with a firearm and discharged it at the officers. Officers returned fire. One of the officers was shot in the abdomen area and was transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.”

“The second officer was not injured and was transported to a local area hospital for Tinnitus,” the statement continued. “The officers were able to strike one of the males in the back. The male was transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in stable condition. The second male was immediately taken into custody.  Charges are pending, and the NYPD's Force Investigation Division is investigating this incident.”

Officers paying their respects to the late NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller Officers paying their respects to the late NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller
Officers paying their respects to the late NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller.

Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto via AP

At the NYPD press conference, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny revealed that Diller - who had been with the department for three years - remained committed to his job as he tried to unarm his shooter despite being shot.

“The gun hit the ground and as the perpetrator was still reaching for it, this cop was able to grab it, although he was still shot,” Kenny said.

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