A suspect was taken into police custody after the fatal shooting of an NYPD officer during a gunfight on a pedestrian bridge. He was ordered without bail during his first court appearance Wednesday night.
Tyrone Howard, 30, was charged with murder in the first degree and robbery in connection with the Tuesday night shooting that killed Officer Randolph Holder, CBS News York reported. The suspect did not enter a plea. Hundreds of NYPD officers filled the Manhattan courtroom and spilled into the hallway, according to CBS New York correspondent Tony Aiello. One of the officers was heard shouting to Howard, "I hope you burn."
"This coward, who calls himself a man, doesn't even have the decency to stand up. Yesterday evening, he was able to run. Yesterday evening, he was too proud to pull a gun. Yesterday evening, he was bad enough to pull that trigger and kill a police officer," said Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.
Police said in a statement that the fatal shooting happened as Holder and his partner responded to a report of shots being fired around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday near a public housing development in East Harlem. When the officers arrived, a man told the officers he was held at gunpoint, his bike was stolen, and that the suspect escaped with a group of people on a footpath heading north along the FDR Drive. When the officers finally caught up with the alleged suspect, they exchanged gunfire.
According to New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, Holder, 33, died at Harlem Hospital from a gunshot wound in the head. Holder was a five-year veteran of the NYPD. Howard was arrested about four blocks from where Holder was shot. He suffered from a gunshot wound to the leg. He was released from a hospital on Wednesday.
Last year, Howard was one of the inmates who were part of a drug diversion program. This program was made to reduce jail time for drug offenders and help jail overcrowding. Although court officials defended their decision, Bratton is still convinced that it was a mistake.
"If there should be anyone not worthy to be diverted, it is this guy." Bratton said.
