A 24-year-old Jamaica man has been charged with attempted murder, for the shooting of a police officer last month, and another shooting prior to that one that involved an acquaintance of the alleged gunman.
John F. Thomas, 24, of 159-06 109th Avenue was charged with first-degree attempted murder, aggravated assault upon a police officer, assault on a police officer, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree assault.
In the former incident, Thomas is charged with second-degree attempted murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree assault.
According to the criminal charges, NYPD Sergeant Craig Bier, 44, was on patrol as part of an anti-gang unit when he approached Thomas at the intersection of 107th Avenue and Union Hall Street at approximately 10:30 p.m. on August 8.
Sergeant Bier approached the defendant, with his NYPD shield in clear sight, and attempted to identify himself. The suspect balked at the prospect and ran away with Sgt. Bier in pursuit on foot.
Thomas allegedly produced a firearm and shot at Sergeant Bier, wounding him in both legs.
Sergeant Bier was transported to Jamaica Hospital, where he was treated for his wounds.
In the second incident, Thomas approached a male acquaintance, who was standing at the intersection of 111th Avenue and 167th Street just after 6:00 p.m. on June 6, 2012, and fired approximately 17 times at the man, who sustained a gunshot wound to his right buttocks and a laceration to his right leg from a bullet that grazed him.
Thomas was taken into custody earlier this week after he surrendered to police in the parking lot of Pep Boys auto parts store at Liberty Avenue and Merrick Boulevard.
If convicted of both crimes, Thomas faces up to 50 years to life in prison.
