Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Man accused of killing NYPD officer Jonathan Diller charged with murder: Queens DA
By
Charles Lane
Published Mar 28, 2024
Modified Mar 28, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
José A. Alvarado Jr. / Gothamist
By
Charles Lane
Published Mar 28, 2024
Modified Mar 28, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The man accused of killing NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, 31, was charged on Thursday with first-degree murder and faces a potential sentence of life in prison without parole, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.
Guy Rivera, 34, was also charged with attempted murder for allegedly pointing a gun at Sgt. Sasha Rosen, who was with Diller at the time of the shooting in Far Rockaway on Monday.
“As alleged, the defendant opened fire and took the officer’s life and tried to shoot another member of the NYPD,” Katz said in a statement. “We will not rest until we have achieved justice for Officer Diller, his family, and his brothers and sisters in the NYPD who put their lives on the line to protect us.”
Rivera pleaded not guilty. Calls to his attorney were not answered.
Diller’s wake was scheduled to take place Thursday afternoon in Massapequa Park, Long Island, and both former President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Eric Adams were expected to attend. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday.
Diller and Rosen were approaching a car that was illegally parked at a bus stop at 1919 Mott Ave. just before 6 p.m. Monday when Rivera pointed a gun at them and fired, according to police and prosecutors. Diller was shot under his bullet-resistant vest and was later pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital, authorities said.
The alleged driver of the car, 41-year-old Lindy Jones, was charged on Wednesday with criminal weapons possession and defacing a weapon after authorities said they found a loaded pistol in the glovebox with the serial number scratched off. An attorney for Jones did not respond to phone calls and messages.
Rivera’s gun was loaded and he had his finger on the trigger when he pointed at Rosen, prosecutors said, citing police body camera footage, but the gun jammed and didn’t fire. He was shot during the incident and also taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he was recovering this week, according to police.
This story has been updated with new information.
Tagged
far rockaway
queens
public safety
new york city
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Push to strengthen NY sexual assault laws gathers steam after Cornell rape allegations
Efforts to close the "voluntary intoxication loophole" have stalled repeatedly in the state Assembly.
By
Walter Wuthmann
and
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 1, 2026 at 4:40 p.m. ET
Lawyer challenging NYC rent freeze releases Mamdani officials’ emails and text messages
A judge had ordered officials to turn over correspondence with the Rent Guidelines Board. Randy Mastro has now asked the court to make them sit for interviews.
By
David Brand
News
Lawyer challenging NYC rent freeze releases Mamdani officials’ emails and text messages
A judge had ordered officials to turn over correspondence with the Rent Guidelines Board. Randy Mastro has now asked the court to make them sit for interviews.
By
David Brand
NYC mulls building temporary highway in sky over Brooklyn Bridge to fix BQE
By
Liam Quigley
and
Carol Chen
The most expensive congressional race in NJ history? This could be the one.
By
Mike Hayes
Former NYPD sergeant pleads guilty to charge he impersonated ICE official
By
Arya Sundaram
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .