Harlem shooting: NYPD cop Wilbert Mora dies a day after killer Lashawn McNeil's death
HARLEM, NEW YORK CiTY: NYPD cop Wilbert Mora, the second cop who was shot in an ambush in Harlem and remained on life support, died on Tuesday, January 25. His organs can now be harvested to help others. Mora had been fighting for his life after being shot by Lashawn McNeil while on a domestic-violence call last week.
Mora's partner, Jason Rivera, 22, died earlier after being gunned down. Mora, on the other hand, was shot in the head with a bullet lodged in his brain. He underwent two surgeries and then remained on life support. A police told New York Post that one of his kidneys may be donated to his niece.
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Mora had initially been taken to Harlem Hospital Center after the shooting, but was later transferred to NYU Langone so that his organs could be harvested, said LiveOnNY President and CEO Leonard Achan, whose nonprofit group specializes in tissue and organ transplants. “When Officer Wilbert Mora’s family was notified of his passing, his family knew their brave and dedicated son would want to continue to save lives, even in death,” Achan said in a statement.
Taking him off life support “was a decision his family made,” a high-ranking cop said. “Just before 11 a.m. today, [doctors] started harvesting his organs. After they harvested his organs, they took him off life support, and he passed away.”
NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell officially announced Mora's passing on Twitter. "It’s with great sadness I announce the passing of Police Officer Wilbert Mora. Wilbert is 3 times a hero. For choosing a life of service. For sacrificing his life to protect others. For giving life even in death through organ donation. Our heads are bowed & our hearts are heavy," Sewell wrote.
It’s with great sadness I announce the passing of Police Officer Wilbert Mora.
— Commissioner Sewell (@NYPDPC) January 25, 2022
Wilbert is 3 times a hero. For choosing a life of service. For sacrificing his life to protect others. For giving life even in death through organ donation. Our heads are bowed & our hearts are heavy. pic.twitter.com/8JiWGbUYTn
NYPD cop-killer Lashawn McNeil succumbed to his injuries on Monday, January 24. Lashawn McNeil, 47, had been in critical condition after being shot by an officer during a shootout where he fatally gunned down Jason Rivera, 22, and critically injured NYPD cop Wilbert Mora, 27. The incident took place during a domestic disturbance inside McNeil's brother’s Harlem apartment last week.
Rivera lost his life after he was fatally shot by McNeil. Upon reaching the scene, Rivera was fatally shot in the hallway by the 47-year-old suspect, who was supposedly arguing with his mother. The cop fell onto his back and later succumbed to his injuries. McNeil was later shot in the neck and shoulder by another officer accompanying Rivera and Mora. 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."