Who was Jason Rivera? NYPD officer, 22, SHOT DEAD while attending domestic violence call in Harlem
HARLEM, NEW YORK CITY: A young police officer from NYPD lost his life after he was shot by a domestic violence suspect in Harlem, Manhattan. 22-year-old Jason Rivera and fellow NYPD officer Wilbert Mora, 27, had attended a domestic call on Friday, January 21. Upon reaching the scene, Rivera was fatally shot in the hallway by a 47-year-old suspect, who was supposedly arguing with his mother. He fell onto his back and later succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile his partner Wilber Mora was also hit by a bullet and is currently critical.
The suspect, who has been identified as Lashawn McNeil, was later shot in the neck and shoulder by another accompanying officer of Rivera and Mora. He is also currently known to be in critical condition. Meanwhile, Jason Rivera's tragic death on duty was mourned by NYPD Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell as well as New York Mayor Eric Adams. "I am struggling to find the words to express what we are enduring, we're mourning and we're angry. The pain their families are experiencing is not something anyone can put into words," Sewell noted. Mayor Eric Adams stated, "Let's weed out that 1%. This is a fight -- violence against New Yorkers, that's the battle we're in right now. We're in a battle with a small number of people that believe they will hold our city hostage with violence. That will not happen."
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Rivera was fairly new to the NYPD, having worked with the police for just a little over a year.
According to the NYPD website, "When the officers arrived at the apartment about 6:30 pm, they spoke with the suspect's mother. Officer Rivera and another officer went to the rear of the apartment to interview the suspect while the third officer stayed with the mother. As the officers approached the door to a room the suspect was in, the suspect opened the door and immediately began to fire at the officers, striking Officer Rivera and one of his partners. The third officer returned fire wounding the suspect. Officer Rivera and the second wounded officer were both transported to Harlem Hospital in grave condition. Officer Rivera succumbed to his wounds a short time later."
Jason Rivera was remembered as a son, husband, and a good friend Following his death, a fundraiser was started to support Rivera's family amid this crisis which has raised $140,818 out of his updated $300,000 goal so far. The fundraiser was launched on 'Fund The First' site, specifically dedicated to first responders. It was organized by Keith Hall and the NYPD Bowling team. The money will ultimately be donated to Rivera's family and also support Mora's medical expenses.
Mourning the tragic loss of his colleague, Keith Hall noted, "I personally worked with Jason in the 32 Precinct and all I can say is that he was an absolutely wonderful person and as a new officer on the job, he was always smiling and excited to go out no matter what his call of duty was. His cheer will be missed and will forever be in my prayers."