NYPD chief involved in suburban shooting incident claims assailant punched him while harassing his daughter.
NYPD Assistant Chief Benjamin Gurley is currently under investigation following a violent encounter in a supermarket parking lot that culminated in a gun discharge. The incident, which occurred on May 24, involved Gurley engaging a 20-year-old college student, who had allegedly harassed Gurley’s daughter through social media with threatening memes and videos.
Authorities report that Gurley, 52, approached the young man in the parking lot of a ShopRite located in Garnerville, New York. At approximately 7:45 PM, the confrontation escalated when the young man allegedly attacked Gurley by delivering two punches to the chief’s head. These developments occur amidst ongoing tensions related to the troubling social media posts directed at Gurley’s daughter, including one that depicted her with a halo as if symbolizing her death.
Following the attack, Gurley stated he drew his firearm in response. According to details reported by sources close to the investigation, as he attempted to secure his weapon, a shot was discharged, though no individuals were hit. The Haverstraw Police Department is investigating the circumstances leading to the firearm discharge. To date, no charges have been filed against either party involved in the altercation, and the young man’s identity remains undisclosed.
The incident has garnered significant attention due to Gurley’s position within the NYPD. As the commanding officer of the newly formed Patrol Borough North Bronx, he has been stripped of his gun and shield and reassigned to a position within the NYPD Housing Bureau as the executive officer, pending the Internal Affairs Bureau and Force Investigation Division’s inquiry.
Gurley is a veteran with over 26 years of service in the NYPD and had previously reported the alleged harassment to local law enforcement prior to the encounter. His daughter, who witnessed the shooting from inside Gurley’s vehicle, was responsible for contacting emergency services.
The NYPD confirmed the reallocation of Gurley and stated that the case highlights an ongoing issue concerning safety and harassment related to social media interactions. Meanwhile, the investigation authorities are collaborating with the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office to assess potential charges.
This incident comes shortly after the mayor’s announcement of the Bronx’s division into two distinct NYPD patrol commands, a strategic move intended to combat elevated crime rates in the region, which has seen a troubling uptick in violent incidents, accounting for over one-third of the city’s murders thus far in the year. The restructuring aims to enhance patrol oversight and resource allocation amidst pressing public safety concerns.
As the investigation progresses, the implications of this incident continue to unfold, raising questions about law enforcement interactions and community safety protocols in New York City.
