Two Officers Shot in Bronx Gun Battle

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

Two police officers were shot in a gun battle early this morning in the Bronx.

The officers, Detectives William Gonzalez and Daniel Rivera, both with nearly 20 years on the force, sustained minor gun wounds in the shootout at around 5:30 a.m. The detectives along with three other officers had been searching for a suspect from a July bodega shooting, Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said at a news conference this morning.

Mr. Gonzalez, 41, and another detective circled around to the back of a Webster Avenue apartment building they had been casing for two days, officials said, while the other officers, including Mr. Rivera, knocked on the front door.

A woman answered the door, and the officers noticed the suspect, identified as Jermaine Taylor, 20, attempting to escape through a back window. Police officials later said they found a surveillance system in the apartment that allowed residents to monitor the building’s front entrance.

Police said Mr. Taylor pulled an air conditioner from a window in the rear of the apartment, and then jumped two stories. He may have been aiming for a 9-foot fence leading to a playground when he jumped, police said, but instead landed in a narrow alley below ground level.

Police said Mr. Rivera, also 41, ran to the back of the building to help Mr. Gonzalez and the other detective, Thomas Murphy. Mr. Taylor then allegedly began firing at the detectives.

Mr. Taylor fired at least six shots with a 9-mm Italian semi-automatic pistol, officials said. Police fired 13 shots.

Police said Mr. Taylor’s middle right finger was severed by one of the police bullets, likely ending the gunfight. Mr. Taylor’s gun was found with three live rounds unfired.

Mr. Rivera was grazed between the eyes with a bullet that police say may have ricocheted from a wall. Mr. Gonzalez was hit in the right shin. Both officers were released after being treated at St. Barnabus Hospital.

“They seem to be doing well,” Mayor Bloomberg said, who used the news conference to repeat his call for a national crackdown on illegal gun trafficking.

“There are just too many guns,” he said.

The police commissioner praised the wounded officers. “These are three very lucky detectives,” Mr. Kelly said. “The mayor and I are often asked how the NYPD manages to continue to drive crime down while the rest of the nation experiences increases. The reasons are here in the hospital this morning.”

Officials said the shooting was justified under official police guidelines.

Mr. Taylor sustained injuries from his jump. He is being treated for a fractured pelvis at Jacobi Medical Center and his condition is unknown.

Joseph Nelson, 60, was sitting on the building’s stoop when police entered about 5 a.m. Minutes later he heard gunfire erupt from what he said sounded like different guns.

“They took the kid out on a stretcher. He wasn’t moaning or anything,” Mr. Nelson said.

Police said Mr. Taylor lived elsewhere in the Bronx, but had not been home because he was wanted in the shooting of one person in the leg and another in the torso outside a bodega at 320 Holland Ave.

Police found three pit bulls in the apartment, which they described as a flophouse where clothing and personal items were strewn about. The pit bulls had been using the bathtub as a toilet, police officials said, and were taken to Animal Care and Control.

Neighbors said a young boy also lived in the apartment.

Officials said they were questioning the seven other people who were in the apartment, one of whom they said had an outstanding warrant.


The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use