A New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer died days after being shot in the head during a robbery attempt over the weekend.
The officer, 26-year-old Adeed Fayaz, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell announced in a tweet, hours after a suspect was arrested.
“Police Officer Adeed Fayaz was a father, a husband, a son, and a protector of our great city,” Sewell said. “Officer Fayaz was shot Saturday night and he tragically succumbed to his injuries today. Our Department deeply mourns his passing, and his family and loved ones are in our prayers.”
Police Officer Adeed Fayaz was a father, a husband, a son, and a protector of our great city.
Officer Fayaz was shot Saturday night and he tragically succumbed to his injuries today.
Our Department deeply mourns his passing, and his family and loved ones are in our prayers. pic.twitter.com/zK9BdHwvM1
— Commissioner Sewell (@NYPDPC) February 7, 2023
While off-duty on Saturday, Fayaz traveled with a relative to Ruby Street in Brooklyn to purchase a vehicle in a transaction arranged on social media, according to officials. Upon arrival, the suspect allegedly pulled out a gun and announced a robbery, leading to an exchange of gunfire during which the officer was struck.
Fayaz was transported to Brookdale Hospital in critical condition.
Police said Randy Jones, 38, was arrested at a hotel in Rockland County on Monday in connection with the shooting. Charges were pending as of press time.
#BREAKING | The off-duty NYPD officer, 26, shot Saturday in an attempted robbery has died, law enforcement sources said. Officer Adeed Fayaz, 26, was fighting for his life yesterday. Now, sources say he has succumbed to his injuries. pic.twitter.com/gf6fXz1yWC
— PIX11 News (@PIX11News) February 7, 2023
“We wanted him to know what he did to that officer and that officer’s cuffs were on him,” NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said Tuesday, according to NBC New York. “I think it sends a powerful message.”
Police said Jones had at least three prior arrests, including one in 2014 for strangulation, CBS News reported.
Authorities have said they did not believe the suspect knew that the target of the attempted robbery was an off-duty police officer.
Fayaz is survived by his widow and two children.