NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Christopher Ransom, the suspect who is accused of raising an imitation gun at police officers during the Queens robbery that resulted in the death of a NYPD detective, has been charged with murder.
Records show Ransom, 27, had been arrested at least 11 times since 2012.
Police Commissioner James O’Neill described Ransom as a “career criminal” and blamed him for the incident that resulted in the death of Det. Brian Simonsen Tuesday evening.
“It’s because of the actions of the suspect that Simonsen is dead,” the police commissioner said.
Authorities say the 27-year-old attempted to rob a T-Mobile store on Atlantic Avenue and 121st Street with an imitation gun Tuesday night at around 6:30 p.m.
When officers arrived, O’Neill said, they witnessed Ransom emerging from the back of the store “pointing at them, what appeared to be a handgun.”
When the suspect advanced towards them, officers discharged their weapons and retreated out of the store, according to the police commissioner.
Simonsen was shot in the chest as seven officers fired 42 shots at the suspect. Police said he was hit by friendly fire and had not been wearing a bulletproof vest.
A sergeant from the 102 Precinct, who had been with the NYPD for 8 years, also suffered a leg wound during the shooting.
Both officers were taken to Jamaica Hospital, where Simonsen later succumbed to his injury.
Ransom was also shot multiple times and taken to Booth Memorial Hospital in police custody.
He was charged Wednesday with murder, manslaughter, two counts of robbery, assault and menacing.