NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – Police are searching for a second suspect in the Queens cellphone store robbery that left an NYPD detective dead, WCBS 880 has confirmed.
Police believe the second suspect may have been an accomplice of 27-year-old Christopher Ransom, who is now in police custody.
Sources told The Daily News that the two suspects got out of an Uber near Atlantic Avenue and 120th Street in Richmond Hill around 6 p.m. Tuesday before the robbery at a T-Mobile store.
A fatal barrage of bullets fired from officers’ guns killed Det. Brian Simonsen as he and his partner investigated a 911 call about the robbery, according to police.
Simonsen was stuck once in the chest and pronounced dead at a hospital. His partner, Sgt. Matthew Gorman, was struck in the leg and is recovering.
Police say Ransom pointed a fake gun at officers and appeared to shoot before they opened fire. The NYPD released a photo of the fake gun to show how realistic it looked.
Ransom remains hospitalized with several bullet wounds. He’s expected to be arraigned soon on murder charges.
Outside the 102 Precinct on Friday, there was a row of candles, flowers and heart-shaped balloons. Black and purple bunting hanged above the door.
Funeral services for Simonsen will start with a wake on Monday followed by a funeral on Wednesday.
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