Jonathan Diller Death – A community in Queens, the NYPD, and a young family are all grieving the loss of Officer Jonathan Diller, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop in Queens. Diller, 31, resided in Massapequa Park with his wife Stephanie and nearly 1-year-old son, and he joined the NYPD in February 2021.
Reports indicate that Diller and another officer were engaged in the traffic stop on Mott Avenue at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Monday. The NYPD Critical Response Team has been targeting vehicles with fake plates, illegal tints, or other quality-of-life concerns.
According to NYPD officials, the officers pulled over the vehicle, which had two occupants, because it was illegally parked at a bus stop. When the officers requested the individuals to exit the vehicle, the passenger refused and aimed a gun at the officers.
Guy Rivera, 34, is accused of shooting Diller, who was hit in the torso just below his bullet-resistant vest. Diller’s partner then fired at Rivera, hitting him in the back. Diller was immediately taken to Jamaica Hospital in critical condition and unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
The second officer was hospitalized with tinnitus. The other suspect, identified as 41-year-old Lindy Jones, was found with a gun at the scene. One suspect is being treated at Jamaica Hospital, while the other is in police custody at a precinct. No official charges have been filed yet.
Rivera has been arrested by the NYPD 21 times, including nine felonies. He was released from prison in September 2021 after serving nearly five years for criminal sale of a controlled substance. He also served three years in state prison for a 2011 assault and was released in October 2014.
Jones has 14 prior arrests and was arrested for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon for carrying a loaded firearm in Far Rockaway on April 17, 2023. He was out on $75,000 bail. Jones previously served 10 years in prison for attempted murder and robbery charges in 2003 and was released in November 2013.
Adams referred to this incident as a “recidivist” issue, involving the same individuals engaging in criminal activities.