UPDATED: 7:47 Pacific Tim February 7
A New York City police officer, on life support after being shot trying to buy a car he found on social media, has died, reports ABC7 News.
For the first time, authorities are releasing his identity. He’s 26-year-old Officer Adeed Fayaz, a five-year veteran.
His body draped in a NYPD flag, has been transferred from the hospital to the coroner.
The NYPD Muslim Officers Society had tweeted earlier that Fayaz is Muslim and Pakistani American.
“Unfortunately, sad news a #NYPD police officer a #Muslim and of #Pakistani descent was shot. We requesting everyone to please keep him in your prayers,” the group announced. “The doctors are working on him and InshAllah with your prayers he will make it with full recovery. Please make duas.”
Police arrested Randy Jones, 38, as a person of interest in the case. He is described only as a 38-year-old man with nearly two dozen prior arrests on charges ranging from strangulation to criminal trespass, according to ABC7 News.
The Pakistan Consulate General of New York called for prayers prior to Fayaz’ death
The shooting happened Saturday when the off-duty officer showed up to buy a car he had found on Facebook Marketplace, reported CBS News.
The victim is a five-year veteran who reportedly was shot in the head. He is married with children and is from Deer Park, Long Island.
ABC News reports when he arrived to buy the car, the suspect immediately displayed a gun. The two exchanged gunfire. New York City Mayor Eric Adams described the officer as “fighting for his life” and said Monday that the family was making decisions about the officer’s future.
The suspect is believed to be part of a two-man operation linked to at least three robberies in the area in Brooklyn.
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