Police Criticize Judicial Leniency, Manhattan Prosecutor Files Charges Against Assault Suspect.

Last month, the suspect Edwin Rivera, who shot at police officers, was formally charged with nine counts, including four counts of attempted murder, in Manhattan.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced on March 3rd that Rivera was indicted by a grand jury of the New York State Supreme Court on two counts of first-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree attempted murder, two counts of first-degree attempted assault, one count of second-degree illegal weapon possession, and two counts of third-degree illegal drug possession.

Bragg stated that NYPD officers selflessly protect the safety of New York City every day and will not tolerate any actions that harm law enforcement officers. He expressed his heartfelt wishes for the speedy recovery of the detective who was shot and praised the brave actions and dedication to public safety of all the officers present that day.

Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch emphasized that shooting at on-duty police officers is an attack on the entire city. She added that they will continue to work closely with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to ensure that anyone posing a threat to public safety is held accountable under the law.

According to court documents and trial records, on February 18, 2025, at 5:04 AM, police officers went to an apartment in the Lower East Side of Manhattan to enforce a search warrant. Upon entering the apartment, Rivera fired multiple shots at the police officers but fortunately did not hit anyone. The police immediately evacuated the building.

Rivera then threw a bag of drugs out of the window onto the street. Approximately three hours later, the police attempted to persuade him to surrender through direct communication. Around 8:18 AM, the police entered the apartment, and Rivera shot and hit a detective in the shoulder. Eventually, Rivera was shot in the leg and torso by the police and arrested.

The injured detective was taken to the hospital and was discharged the same day. The suspect was also taken to the same hospital for treatment.

It was confirmed by the police that Rivera is a “career criminal” with multiple involvements in gun and drug-related crimes. He had been paroled four times and was on parole at the time of the incident. In November last year, he was arrested for possessing stolen property and resisting arrest, but Bragg only charged him with resisting arrest, leading to his release the next day.

Both Adams and Police Commissioner Tisch criticized the justice system for being too lenient on repeat offenders and called for a review of system loopholes by state and district prosecutors.