Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
“Make no mistake about it, friendly fire aside, it’s because of the actions of the suspect that Detective Simonsen is dead,” Police Commissioner O’Neill said Tuesday night at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.
By Michael V. Cusenza
A 19-year veteran City detective was killed on Tuesday evening in a friendly fire incident stemming from a chaotic cell phone store robbery in Richmond Hill that saw eight officers unload 40 rounds, according to the NYPD and published reports.
Detective Brian Simonsen, 42, who has worked out of the 102nd Precinct in South Queens for all of his career, was shot once in the chest by a fellow officer around 6 p.m. after responding to a radio call of an armed robbery at a T-Mobile store on Atlantic Avenue and 120th Street.
Sergeant Matthew Gorman, who responded to the scene with Simonsen, was also shot by fellow Finest in the upper leg. Both were rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where Simonsen eventually succumbed to his injury. As of Wednesday morning, Gorman was listed in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery.
According to reports, Gorman and Simonsen cautiously entered the store and immediately observed a man fitting the description of the suspect emerge from the back pointing “what appeared to be a handgun” at them, said Police Commissioner Jim O’Neill. It later turned out to be an imitation firearm.
With suspect Christopher Ransom advancing toward them, the veteran cops discharged their weapons and retreated out of the store. That was when Simonsen and Gorman were shot.
Ransom, 27, labeled a “career criminal” by O’Neill , was shot multiple times in the barrage. He was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital in Flushing, where he is listed in serious condition.
“Make no mistake about it, friendly fire aside, it’s because of the actions of the suspect that Detective Simonsen is dead,” O’Neill added.
Detective Simonsen leaves behind a wife and two children.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the commissioner spent time with Simonsen’s family at Jamaica Hospital, calling the shock his loved ones were feeling “so painful to see.”
“I want to just note how difficult it is for our men and women in uniform to go into a situation like this one…to go into a situation where people’s lives are in danger, where there is someone with a weapon ready to recklessly use it at any moment; and our officers, our detectives, our sergeants go in selflessly to protect others and they know it’s a moment where they cannot hesitate, where even a moment of hesitation could mean a life is lost,” de Blasio added. “And that bravery and that resolve is something we all need to understand even though most of us have never experienced that kind of split-second decision. The sergeant, we visited as well. We wish him a speedy recovery but it’s so clear that—his bravery was so clear but his pain to have lost his colleague was so clear as well.”
O’Neill on Wednesday sent a solemn note to all members of the NYPD.
“This is heartbreaking. But we are not alone. Please remember that what you do every day for the people of this city matters a great deal,” he wrote. “And for that, I am humbled by you, I am infinitely proud of you, and I sincerely thank you.”
