NEW YORK (AP) — A man has been indicted on first-degree murder and other charges in last month's shooting of a New York Police Department officer, a district attorney announced Thursday.
Demetrius Blackwell, 35, was arrested after a manhunt that followed the May 2 shooting of Officer Brian Moore.
Law Officer: NYPD Officer Passes Away
Moore, who was the son, nephew and cousin of police officers, was the third New York City officer slain on duty in five months.
"He risked his life for a very simple notion — to keep everyone else safe, to keep our society safe, to keep order," Mayor Bill de Blasio said after Moore's death. "This is what he wanted to do."
Police said Moore, 25, and his partner had approached Blackwell that night after they saw him adjusting his waistband. Authorities said Blackwell refused to stop, turned and fired at the officers. Moore was shot twice in the head and died two days later.
The indictment includes second-degree murder, attempted murder, weapon possession, drug and stolen property charges.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said that after Blackwell shot Moore, he stole a T-shirt and sneakers to alter his appearance. He was also found with cocaine and marijuana, the Brown said.
If convicted, Blackwell could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors will not offer him a plea deal, Brown said.
Blackwell is expected to be arraigned on the charges Thursday afternoon.
His attorney has said he denies the allegations.
Officer Brian Moore
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