NYPD Officer Peter Figoski, a 22-year veteran of the police force, was murdered in the line of duty on Monday, December 12, in Brooklyn, NY.
NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -
The trials of two men accused in the shooting death of NYPD Officer Peter Figoski got underway Thursday in downtown Brooklyn.
Figoski, a 22-year veteran of the force, was shot once while responding to a botched robbery in East New York, Brooklyn in Dec. 2011.
Lamont Pride and Michael Velez were part of a group of five men robbing a drug dealer's apartment at 25 Pine Street , according to prosecutors.
Pride, 28, is accused of shooting Figoski. Velez, 22, drove to the apartment and waited outside, said police.
The alleged gunman and another man tried to escape when the gunman opened fire as they fled the scene, said police.
One of the men reportedly accepted a plea deal and would testify against Pride and Velez in exchange for reduced jail time.
Figoski, 47, was at the bottom of a staircase leading from the street to the basement when he was hit.
His partner, Police Officer Glenn Estrada, was already struggling on the street level in front of the house with a second suspect, when he heard the shot and observed the gunman run by him.
Officer Estrada released the man he was struggling with and pursued the gunman, capturing him after a foot pursuit of several blocks at the corner of Fulton and Chestnut streets.
The five suspects, including Pride, pleaded not guilty to murder charges.
Figoski's funeral in West Babylon drew 20,000 fellow officers, family and friends.
The turnout was so enormous some officers lined up on the nearby Long Island Rail Road platform to salute as Figoski's casket was placed in a hearse.
Figoski was survived by a wife and four daughters. He had 12 medals awarded, including eight for exceptional police duty.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:03:08 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has tried to limit the size of soda consumption, ban smoking in parks, encourage bike riding and now there"s another possible plan on the table: mandate recycling of food waste.
West Side resident Matt Murphy has stored a pail of leftovers on his floor for the last two months. His building is part of the city's food-recycling pilot program. Mayor Bloomberg wants to expand the program citywide.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:21:23 GMT
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:02 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:02:34 GMT
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Sunday, June 16 2013 8:46 PM EDT2013-06-17 00:46:40 GMT
Police say a man was shot and killed in front of a Brooklyn apartment building early Sunday morning. Officers found 24-year-old Keith Anthony with a gunshot wound to his torso in front of 518 East 51st Street around 2:45 a.m. EMS took Anthony to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say they have made no arrests and their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Police say a man was shot and killed in front of a Brooklyn apartment building early Sunday morning. Officers found 24-year-old Keith Anthony with a gunshot wound to his torso in front of 518 East 51st Street around 2:45 a.m. EMS took Anthony to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say they have made no arrests and their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Saturday, June 15 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-06-16 03:19:15 GMT
Many talented young women displayed their moves for a chance to join the Brooklynettes Dance Team for the hometown Nets on Saturday. The auditions took place at the LIU-Brooklyn campus. Contestants had to be at least 18 years old with at least eight years of technical dance training. Dancers who were able to make the cut will be invited to a call back audition on Sunday and that audition will be taught by renowned choreographer Rhapsody James. James has choreographed for Beyonce, ...
Many talented young women displayed their moves for a chance to join the Brooklynettes Dance Team for the hometown Nets on Saturday. The auditions took place at the LIU-Brooklyn campus. Contestants had to be at least 18 years old with at least eight years of technical dance training. Dancers who were able to make the cut will be invited to a call back audition on Sunday and that audition will be taught by renowned choreographer Rhapsody James. James has choreographed for Beyonce, ...
Saturday, June 15 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-16 01:46:35 GMT
Police are searching for the suspect who robbed a woman before crashing into a home in Brooklyn attempting to drive off with her purse Saturday morning. The suspect held up the woman on Flatbush Avenue and Avenue T and then tried to flee in his white Nissan Maxima. He crashed the vehicle into a home on Beverley Road and Lott Street around 7:15 a.m., according to police.
Police are searching for the suspect who robbed a woman before crashing into a home in Brooklyn attempting to drive off with her purse Saturday morning. The suspect held up the woman on Flatbush Avenue and Avenue T and then tried to flee in his white Nissan Maxima. He crashed the vehicle into a home on Beverley Road and Lott Street around 7:15 a.m., according to police.
Friday, June 14 2013 3:02 PM EDT2013-06-14 19:02:28 GMT
Former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. will spend five years in prison after pleading guilty to tax fraud charges. A federal judge sentenced Espada on Friday in Brooklyn.
Former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. will spend five years in prison after pleading guilty to tax fraud charges. A federal judge sentenced Espada on Friday in Brooklyn.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:32 AM EDT2013-06-14 14:32:37 GMT
Brooklyn community advocates are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in the killing of a livery cab driver.
Brooklyn community advocates are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the killing of a livery cab driver.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:42:53 GMT
A line of thunderstorms caused some damage and street flooding in New Jersey on Thursday, but the threat of longer, widespread heavy rain and flooding in the tristate area has diminished.
A line of thunderstorms caused some damage and street flooding in New Jersey on Thursday, but the threat of longer, widespread heavy rain and flooding in the tristate area has diminished.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:15:30 GMT
Law enforcement officials nationwide are demanding the creation of a "kill switch" that would render smartphones inoperable after they are stolen, New York's top prosecutor said.
Law enforcement officials nationwide are demanding the creation of a "kill switch" that would render smartphones inoperable after they are stolen, New York's top prosecutor said.
NYPD Officer Peter Figoski, a 22-year veteran of the police force, was murdered in the line of duty on Monday, December 12, in Brooklyn, NY.
