Queens District Attorney Richard Brown Thursday said a grand jury returned a 12-count indictment charging a 35-year-old Queens Village man with murder in the fatal shooting of an NYPD officer from Massapequa.
Demetrius Blackwell was charged with varying degrees of murder and attempted murder, along with weapons and drug charges, according to the indictment.
Blackwell, an ex-con, was expected to be arraigned Thursday afternoon before Queens Supreme Court justice Joseph Zayas. He faces a life sentence without the possibility of parole on the top charge of aggravated murder, if convicted.
The death of officer Brian Moore, 25, touched off days of intense mourning that culminated in a sorrow-filled funeral in Seaford that attracted thousands of law enforcement officers from across the country. To this day, blue ribbons remain tied to trees and porches in honor of the beloved officer.
In a statement Thursday, Brown said Blackwell on May 2 allegedly fired at Moore and his partner, Officer Erik Jensen, “without warning.”
“The defendant’s alleged actions are a direct attack on society and the law and reminds us of the dangers that our police officers face each day,” Brown added.
DA Brown: #POBrianMoore was a young police officer with a bright & promising future whose life was senselessly cut short far too soon.
— Richard A. Brown (@QueensDABrown) June 11, 2015
Moore and Jensen, members of the 105th Precinct’s Anti-Crime Unit, were patrolling Queens Village when they spotted Blackwell adjusting his waistband. Intending to question Blackwell, the pair approached him near 104th Road at roughly 6:15 p.m., but were unexpectedly met by gunfire, the Queens DA’s office said.
Multiple shots were fired into the unmarked patrol vehicle, Brown said, with one striking Moore in the head. Jensen escaped the shooting without being struck.
Moore died two days later.
Blackwell has also been charged with the attempted murder of Officer Jensen.
The Queens grand jury also indicted Blackwell on criminal possession of stolen property for allegedly stealing a tee shirt and pair of sneakers in an effort to disguise himself, Brown said. Blackwell was also indicted on drug charges for allegedly carrying small amounts of cocaine and marijuana at the time of his arrest.
Read the indictment:
