White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked Wednesday about the death of 31-year-old NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed earlier this week allegedly by a career criminal, and Jean-Pierre used her answer to push for more gun control.
“Look, our hearts go out to this officer who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. We’re also praying for his family during this difficult time, who now has an empty seat at their dinner table,” the press secretary said. “President Biden is deeply grateful for the sacrifices police officers make to keep our communities safe. This shooting is yet another painful reminder of the toll of gun violence.”
Diller, a husband and father who had served three years on the force, was shot in the stomach while making a traffic stop Monday evening in Queens, The New York Post reported. The suspect in the shooting death of the officer was identified as 34-year-old Guy Rivera, who was sitting in the passenger seat of the car pulled over by Diller when he allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired at the officer. Rivera has 21 prior arrests and was released from prison in 2021 after serving five years for criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to the Post. He was also in prison from 2011 to 2014 for first-degree assault.
Jean-Pierre then touted Biden’s executive actions, along with work Congress has done, to push more gun control.
“Obviously, more work needs to be done. We need Congress to continue to act on making sure that our communities are safe, and again, our hearts go out to this officer and his family. It’s a difficult time for them.”
WOW! When asked about the murder of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller by career criminal, KJP doesn’t even say his name
“As it relates to the death of the officer…it is a painful reminder of the toll of gun violence.” pic.twitter.com/WNkNBe8mQ1
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 27, 2024
Lindy Jones, the driver of the vehicle pulled over by Diller, also has a lengthy criminal rap sheet and was arrested on gun charges last April. In 2003, Jones was convicted of attempted murder and robbery and spent ten years in prison before being released in 2013. Jones was arraigned on Wednesday and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and possession of a defaced firearm, ABC 7 reported.
Investigators said they believe Jones and Rivera were casing a T-Mobile store when Diller and another officer approached their vehicle to ask them to move from a bus stop where they were illegally parked. When the suspects were asked to roll down their windows, they refused, and Rivera allegedly fired a single shot at Diller, which hit him below his vest, according to authorities.
Rivera was shot in the back when the other officer returned fire. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
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“I can’t … say it any clearer: It is the good guys against the bad guys and these bad guys are violent,” said New York City Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, adding that the shooting was another “senseless act of violence.”
Adams also addressed Jones’ prior arrest and said it represents “not a crime problem, but a recidivist problem.”
“Same bad people doing bad things to good people,” Adams said.
Former President Donald Trump reportedly plans to attend the wake of the slain NYPD officer on Thursday and said in a Truth Social post earlier this week that the suspect in his death “NEVER should have been let back out on the streets.”
“To Officer Diller’s family, and all of the other brave men and women of law enforcement who put your lives on the line every day, we love you, we appreciate you, and we will always stand with you!” Trump wrote.
