Man Indicted on Aggravated Murder, Other Charges in Death of 25-Year-Old NYPD Officer

A 35-year-old Queens man was indicted on murder charges in the death of an NYPD officer who died two days after being shot in an unmarked car while attempting to stop the suspect last month on suspicion of having a handgun, prosecutors said Thursday. 

The 12-count indictment handed down by the grand jury charges Demetrius Blackwell with aggravated murder and second- and first-degree murder in the death of 25-year-old Brian Moore, the son, nephew and cousin of police officers who was shot May 2 in his squad car.

Moore's 30-year-old partner, Erik Jansen, was also in the police car at the time of the shooting, and the indictment charges Blackwell with attempted aggravated murder and second- and first-degree attempted murder as well as a bevy of weapons charges. Jansen wasn't injured in the shooting. 

The two officers were on duty near 104th Road when they saw Blackwell adjust his waistband, prosecutors have said. When they rode alongside Blackwell to question him, Blackwell allegedly pulled a gun from his waistband and fired a number of shots at the officers, hitting Moore twice in the head.

Moore was the first officer to be killed on duty since two uniformed police officers were slain in December in Brooklyn. 

Blackwell, who has been held without bail since his arrest May 3, faces up to life in prison with no chance of parole if convicted. His attorney has denied the charges.

Blackwell, who appeared in court Thursday in an orange jail jumpsuit, was remanded to Rikers after his arraignment on the charges in the indictment. He pleaded not guilty.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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