Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYPD officer to face disciplinary charges for 2019 killing
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published May 18, 2023
Modified May 18, 2023
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 .
Courtesy of Family
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published May 18, 2023
Modified May 18, 2023
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
An NYPD officer accused of beating, shooting and killing a Bronx man in 2019 now faces charges that could lead to his firing from the department, but his two partners who witnessed the incident will not face any charges, according to a group representing the victim’s family.
The Civilian Complaint Review Board, the city’s police watchdog agency, determined on Wednesday that it would bring disciplinary charges of excessive force against Sgt. Jonathan Rivera, who is accused of killing Allan Feliz after a Bronx traffic stop almost four years ago. The charges could be grounds for Rivera’s termination.
Feliz’s brother Samy Feliz called the agency’s decision “bittersweet,” because the CCRB is not seeking discipline for officers Edward Barrett and Michelle Almanzar, who were also present during the incident.
“In a city and nation that protects abusive officers at all costs — getting fireable charges against one of the three officers who murdered my brother is a rare and important step forward, but we are outraged and heartbroken that the CCRB made the cowardly decision not to charge Barrett or Almanzar at all,” he said in a statement through the Justice Committee, which is advocating for Feliz’s family.
A CCRB spokesperson told Gothamist that investigators gathered all available evidence.
"The Board analyzed that evidence and compared it to the law and the NYPD Patrol Guide. The Patrol Guide gives great latitude to members of service," the spokesperson said. "The CCRB’s role is to determine whether an officer’s behavior was within police guidelines. In the case of the killing of Alan Feliz, the Board determined that the evidence proved LT. Rivera improperly threatened Mr. Feliz with a use of force and improperly used his firearm to shoot Mr. Feliz.”
The officers stopped Allan Feliz, 31, at the corner of 211th Street and Bainbridge Avenue in the Bronx on Oct. 17, 2019 for what they claimed was a seatbelt violation, according to the group representing Feliz’s family.
Feliz's family said that body camera footage from the officers showed that he was wearing a seatbelt, and that Barrett noticed this when approaching the car.
Feliz was ordered to show his identification and registration, and to step out of the car. His family said he calmly complied with the officers’ commands.
When Feliz returned to his car, the situation escalated quickly. Barrett and Rivera allegedly began to beat him, while Almanzar stood by without intervening.
Within seconds, Rivera climbed into the car, according to the charges, threatened to shoot Feliz, and used a Taser on him. Rivera then shot Feliz once in the chest at close range, per the complaint.
The family then alleges that Barrett pulled Feliz’s limp body from the car, exposing his genitals and leaving him to bleed out while in handcuffs. The officers did not attempt to provide medical aid or cover him up, the family said.
In 2020 Samy Feliz filed a complaint with the CCRB, which stalled for two years as the NYPD conducted an investigation by the Force Investigation Division. The internal investigation found no wrongdoing.
The CCRB process is the last avenue through which the officers could face discipline, but only Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell can make the final decision to fire Rivera.
The New York attorney general’s office, which now investigates all deadly shootings by police in the state, declined to bring criminal charges against the officers.
The NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This story has been updated with comment from the CCRB.
Tagged
civilian complaint review board
nypd
police abuse claim
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
Mid-October through mid-December is deer mating season, which can be a danger to drivers as the sex-seeking creatures cross roadways throughout the Garden State.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Oct 16, 2026 at 4:22 p.m. ET
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
A transcript from an April court hearing sheds new light on what transpired at Fashion Institute of Technology.
By
Samantha Max
News
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
A transcript from an April court hearing sheds new light on what transpired at Fashion Institute of Technology.
By
Samantha Max
Inside the plan to fix the nearly collapsed Pfizer Building, 1/64th of an inch at a time
By
David Brand
School bus carrying autistic students got lost in Brooklyn for 4 hours last year
By
Jessica Gould
NYC’s bridges can last 'forever,' if we take care of them
By
Clayton Guse
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 .