Man charged with murder in NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller’s death: police

FAR ROCKAWAY, Queens (PIX11) —- The man accused of fatally shooting NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller during a traffic stop in Queens Monday has been charged with murder, police said.

Guy Rivera, 34, was charged with murder, attempted murder, and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the NYPD.

Rivera allegedly pulled out a gun and shot the 31-year-old officer in the stomach after Diller approached two men in an illegally parked car near Mott Avenue and Smith Place in Far Rockaway at around 6 p.m., according to the NYPD. Sources said police believe the men were looking to rob a T-Mobile store in the area where the shooting happened.

Authorities said Rivera and the driver, Lindy Jones, were in the gray SUV when Diller told Rivera to step out of the vehicle. Rivera then allegedly fired the gun, hitting the cop below his bullet-proof vest, police said. The s uspect also tried to shoot Sgt. Sasha Rosen but the gun jammed, prosecutors said.

Diller’s partner shot Rivera in the back before the injured Diller grabbed Rivera’s gun, according to authorities. Rivera remained hospitalized, as of Thursday.

After Rivera was arrested, cops found another weapon hidden inside his body, according to law enforcement sources.

Jones, 41 , was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and defacing a firearm on Wednesday, authorities said.

Rivera previously spent 10 years in prison on various charges, including assault, drug convictions and hate crime charges, according to authorities. The driver has more than 20 priors, including a gun charge from April 2023, according to Mayor Eric Adams.

Diller’s wake will be held on Long Island on Thursday. Former President Donald Trump, who is running for reelection, is expected to attend the wake. The fallen officer leaves behind a wife and 1-year-old son.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

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