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[UPDATE] Brooklyn Cop Killed After Being Pushed Down Stairs
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 13, 2011
Modified Mar 13, 2011
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 13, 2011
Modified Mar 13, 2011
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[UPDATE BELOW]
A police officer in Brooklyn's 84th Precinct was killed early this morning after an "emotionally disturbed person" reportedly pushed him down a flight of stairs.
The officer was responding to a call regarding a family dispute in Boerum Hill, and was reportedly thrown down the stairs as he was trying to handcuff the person. He was transported to Lutheran Hospital (as were Mayor Bloomberg and NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly), but was declared dead. Officers remained on the scene to investigate.
[UPDATE]The Daily News reports that the man who assaulted the officer has been taken into custody, and was so violent that he tried to escape through the window of the cop car and had to be Tasered at least twice.
Police have identified the victim as Officer Alain Schaberger, and the attacker as George Villanueva. Mayor Bloomberg said, “What appeared to be a routine domestic violence call early this morning became anything but routine. And a decorated officer, Alain Schaberger, fell about nine feet to his immediate death in front of a Brooklyn home.” Ray Kelly said, As they led [Villaneuva] from the front stoop of the apartment building, Villaneuva began to struggle with the officers, pushing Officer Schaberger over the railing and down a cement stairwell, which leads to the basement." Schaberger fell on the cement and broke his neck. Villanueva reportedly has a long history of violence, and charges against him are pending.
In the 911 call Schaberger to which was responding, a 48-year-old woman claimed, "He said he's going to kill me, he said he's across the street and he is going to kill me." She also reportedly had an order of protection against Villanueva, who has 28 prior arrests for mostly robbery and burglary. By the time police arrived, Villanueva had fled to his father's house at 45 St. Mark's Place.
His father initially told police Villanueva wasn't there, but the said he was "sleeping." Cops apprehended him, but while they were struggling to handcuff him he pushed Schaberger over an 18-inch railing. He fell nine feet and landed on his head.
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