Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
No Charges For NYPD Officer Who Shot And Killed National Guardsman In Queens
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Feb 15, 2013
Modified Feb 15, 2013
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 .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Feb 15, 2013
Modified Feb 15, 2013
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 NYPD officer who fatally shot off-duty National Guardsman Noel Polanco on Grand Central Parkway last October will not be facing charges, but Polanco's family says they will continue to pursue legal action.
Detective Hassan Hamdy was accused of unlawfully opening fire on the unarmed 22-year-old near LaGuardia Airport in the early hours of October 4th; officers said Polanco was driving erratically and cut off a cop car, and Hamdy fired at Polanco through his car's window after Hamdy and several other officers tried to detain him at a traffic stop. But a Queens grand jury decided not to indict Hamdy after listening to his testimony, in which he insisted he believed Polanco was reaching for a gun under his seat. "I think the grand jury found his testimony truthful and sincere," Hamdy's lawyer, Philip Karasyk, told the Times.
But Diane DiFerrari, Polanco's front-seat passenger at the time of the shooting, doesn't agree with Hamdy's version of the events. She says both of Polanco's hands were on the steering will the whole time, and told DNAinfo she was surprised Hamdy wasn't indicted. And Polanco's family will not accept the grand jury's decision as the final ruling in their quest for justice. "The family of Noel Polanco is extremely disappointed, the Queens Grand jury did not vote to indict the Police Officer who shot and killed him," Sanford Rubinstein, the family's lawyer, told the Post. "The family will in the near future meet with their advisors to determine the best way to move forward in their quest for justice." DiFerrari has decried Hamdy's actions as "pure road rage," and family members say Polanco had been planning to return to the Army in the near future.
Tagged
grand central parkway
hassan hamdy
noel polanco
nypd
queens
shooting
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
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 .