NYPD officers fatally shoot scissor-wielding 19-year-old in Queens as city mourns Officer Jonathan Dillon's murder

NYPD Chief of Patrol said the incident was 'hectic, chaotic and dangerous'
PUBLISHED MAR 28, 2024
Hero City cop Jonathan Diller was gunned down during a routine traffic stop-gone-awry Monday night in Queens (NYPD)
Hero City cop Jonathan Diller was gunned down during a routine traffic stop-gone-awry Monday night in Queens (NYPD)

QUEENS, NEW YORK: While mourning the tragic death of Officer Jonathan Diller, New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers were involved in another fatal shooting, this time of a 19-year-old armed with scissors in Queens.

The incident unfolded on Wednesday, March 27, afternoon in the Ozone Park neighborhood of New York City. Authorities revealed that the 19-year-old's mother had called 911, expressing concerns about her son's "mental crisis" and erratic behavior. "The situation became quite hectic, chaotic and dangerous right away," said NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell.

NYPD officer Jonathan Diller was killed Monday by suspect Guy Rivera (NYPD)
NYPD officer Jonathan Diller was killed on Monday by suspect Guy Rivera (NYPD)

Insights into the fatal confrontation

Upon arrival, officers attempted to restrain the young man to "get him help," but he resisted and retrieved a pair of scissors from a drawer. Despite attempts to subdue him with tasers, which were briefly effective until the suspect's mother inadvertently dislodged them, the situation escalated.

"But a mother, being a mother, ran to aid her son and doing so, she accidentally knocked the tasers out of his body," said Chell. The young man reportedly picked up the scissors again and advanced towards the officers, prompting them to discharge their firearms, resulting in his death. "It was chaotic, fast-moving, and they had to defend themselves," Fox reported.

The individual was transported to Jamaica Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced him deceased. Following the incident, both officers underwent tinnitus testing at the hospital. There were no reports of shots being fired at the officers, and no injuries were sustained by law enforcement personnel. Chell mentioned that the shooting occurred during a period of mourning within the department.

Who was Officer Jonathan Diller?

Officer Diller, a married young father of a 1 year old, was fatally shot in the line of duty on Monday, while conducting a traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens.

"As our city mourns for Officer Diller, as we recover from this heinous act of violence against him, our cops still have to be out here 24/7," Chell said.  "Defending the community and helping the community. They tried to do that today with a person in mental distress," Chell said.

MORE STORIES

Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby said that the conditions during Tyler Robinson's arrest were relaxed and comfortable
Sep 18, 2025
DeCarlos Brown Jr, who is accused of fatally stabbing Iryna Zarutska, confessed the reason for the attack in a phone call from jail to his sister
Sep 11, 2025
The former Centerville Mayor is facing three class A felony murder charges, each carrying a minimum sentence of death or life imprisonment
Jun 1, 2024
In a recent interview, Oregon murder suspect Jesse Lee Calhoun's ex-girlfriend, Krista Sinor, recalled his fits of rage
May 19, 2024
Michael Francis described John-Paul Miller as someone who tried to buy love and expected something in return for his favors
May 19, 2024
Ryan Babcock has been indicted on charges of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, three counts of reckless endangerment, and vandalism
May 19, 2024
A student at Kennesaw State University in Georgia was fatally shot by an armed intruder on May 18
May 19, 2024
Jaylin Brazier admitted he panicked and disposed of Zion Foster's body in a dumpster after she died suddenly while they were smoking marijuana
May 19, 2024
Devin Montgomery drew a firearm and discharged it several times at officers who were trying to engage him on May 16 at an apartment complex
May 19, 2024