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NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- Many questions remain as police trace the 11 seconds of chaos that led to the death of a veteran NYPD detective Tuesday night in Queens.
Seven officers opened fire when a robbery suspect raised what turned out to be a fake weapon at a cell phone store in Richmond Hill.
In the next 11 seconds, 42 rounds were shot, and NYPD Detective Brian Simonsen was killed by friendly fire.
Simonsen, who was not wearing a bullet proof vest, was struck once in the chest. He died at Jamaica Hospital. His partner, who also was not protected, Sgt. Matthew Gorman, was struck in the leg.
NYPD detectives are typically not the first line of defense, but the 42-year-old Simonsen and his partner sprung into action when they got the call of an armed robbery in progress at the T-Mobile store on Atlantic Avenue and 121st Street.
"What Brian did, it just shows the sort of man he was, he didn't have to be there," Monahan said.
The officers opened fire when the robbery suspect, 27-year-old Christopher Ransom, raised the realistic-looking imitation weapon and pointed it at them.
Police released a photo of the fake .45-caliber gun on Thursday.
Ransom was shot several times. He remains hospitalized, but is expected to be arraigned soon on murder charges.
"The scene was caused by a man charging at police officers," Monahan said. "The blame goes to that individual for doing that."
Records show he had been arrested at least 11 times since 2012. WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reports Ransom was known to friends as a prankster who posted YouTube videos of himself dressing as a superhero and impersonating a police officer.
The incident was captured on police body cameras.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said there's going to be a full review.
Meanwhile, outside the 102nd Precinct there is a row of candles, flowers and heart-shaped balloons, black and purple bunting hangs above the door in honor of the fallen detective.
Funeral services for Simonsen will start with a wake from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a funeral at 10 a.m. Wednesday. All services will be held at Saint Rosalie Roman Catholic Church in Hampton Bays.