NYPD In Full Alert As Police Officers Are Threatened Of Being Assassinated

In keeping with the recent attacks at the Bronx precinct—that left two cops wounded in two separate shootings in less than four days—, the Sergeants Benevolent Association tweeted an internal memo which was shared with every member on the force.

The post, which was in all-caps, reads: “INVESTIGATIVE UNITS HAVE RECEIVED A CREDIBLE THREAT OF AN INDIVIDUAL THAT MAY ATTEMPT TO SHOOT A NYPD MOS (a member of service), IN PARTICULAR, A 41 PCT MOS. ALL MOS ARE BEING ADVISED TO BE VIGILANT AND ALERT.”

The memo was circulated amongst all men and women on the force, owing to a “credible threat”. The message came soon after the fateful incident occurred at the 41st Precinct in the Bronx, where a gunman carried out a surprise attack on police officers twice – first in a patrol van late on Saturday night and then at precinct headquarters hours later on Sunday morning.

Robert Williams, the accused aged 45, was arraigned on Monday for the attack and a slew of other charges. Williams made his first appearance following his Sunday arrest, turned up in a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants, with a swollen eye shut and a bandage on his ear. Williams, of the Bronx, was also charged with multiple counts of attempted murder— approaching a police patrol van on Saturday night and firing at two officers inside, wounding one before escaping on foot, and also of opening fire Sunday morning at the 41st precinct headquarters, where he wounded a police lieutenant before being arrested, as per a media report.

Williams was sent back to custody after his appearance will appear before the court on February 14. An attorney from The Bronx Defenders represented him in court. Attorney Tom Klein inferred that there was a lot of ambiguity on what led up to the incident, said in a statement. “We look forward to investigating and learning more so that we can best represent Mr. Williams,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, Lt. Jose Gautreaux, the officer who was wounded at the 41st precinct, saw a volley of waiting officers who had queued in line as soon as he was discharged from the hospital. Among those present was NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea.

Condemning the attack, Shea said on Sunday, “These things are not unrelated. We had people marching through the streets of New York City recently,” adding, “Words matter. And words affect people's behavior.”

Another officer, Paul Stroffolino, who was wounded in the earlier attack was discharged from the hospital on Sunday evening.