Press Release
GUY RIVERA CONVICTED OF AGGRAVATED MANSLAUGHTER IN THE FIRST DEGREE FOR FATAL SHOOTING OF NYPD DETECTIVE JONATHAN DILLER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE FOR ATTEMPTING TO SHOOT NYPD SERGEANT SASHA ROSEN
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Guy Rivera was convicted of aggravated manslaughter in the first degree and other crimes for fatally shooting NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller in Far Rockaway on March 25, 2024. The defendant was also convicted of first-degree attempted murder for attempting to shoot an NYPD sergeant at the scene. He was acquitted of murder in the first degree.
Detective Diller was an officer at the time of his murder and was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective.
District Attorney Katz said: “The last words Detective Jonathan Diller told his wife were ‘I love you.’ Detective Diller was a father, a husband and a son. He was also a dedicated member of the New York City Police Department who put on a uniform every day to protect our city. On March 25, 2024, Guy Rivera chose to ignore these facts, chose to ignore multiple lawful commands and chose to shoot Detective Diller. After shooting Detective Diller, he tried to shoot in the chest Sergeant Sasha Rosen. This crime stole the life of a dutiful officer and a family man and endangered the life of a devoted NYPD sergeant. I thank the members of my Homicide Bureau for prosecuting this case. We continue to stand in solidarity with Detective Diller’s loved ones, Sergeant Sasha Rosen and all the brave men and women who protect our city.”
Guy Rivera, 36, of Long Island City, was convicted by a jury today of aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He was acquitted of murder in the first degree.
Trial openings occurred on March 10 and summations took place March 31. The jury deliberated for approximately eight hours before reaching a verdict. Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise set sentencing for April 27 when Rivera faces up to 90 years to life in prison.
DA Katz said that, according to the investigation and trial testimony, on March 25, 2024, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Detective Diller was on patrol in Far Rockaway with the NYPD’s Queens South Community Response Team (CRT). CRT Sergeant Sasha Rosen noticed a gun-shaped bulge in the front pocket of the defendant’s sweatshirt as Rivera exited a store on Mott Avenue with a second individual, Lindy Jones.
Rivera entered the passenger seat of a 2016 Kia Soul parked in front of 19-19 Mott Avenue and Jones entered the driver seat.
Detective Diller and the other members of the CRT team then approached the vehicle. Diller issued numerous commands to Rivera to roll down his window and step out of the vehicle, which the defendant ignored.
The driver, Lindy Jones, also refused an order to unlock the vehicle at which point CRT Officer Delio Fernandez reached into the car and unlocked it from the driver side control panel. Detective Diller then opened the passenger side door and instructed Rivera to exit the vehicle. Instead of stepping from the vehicle, Rivera reached into his pocket with his right hand, ignoring commands by CRT Officer Veckash Khedna not to put his hands in his pockets. Rivera then quickly drew a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol from his pocket and fired at Detective Diller, striking him in the abdomen below his bullet proof vest.
After shooting Detective Diller, Rivera pointed his gun directly at Sergeant Rosen’s chest and pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed. Detective Diller wrestled the gun away from the defendant’s hand and then collapsed on the street from his injuries.
Detective Diller was rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where he underwent multiple blood transfusions and emergency surgery but succumbed to his wounds several hours later. The bullet from the defendant’s gun severed Diller’s iliac artery, which caused internal bleeding.
During the incident, Officer Khedna fired two shots, striking the defendant in the left arm pit and right humorous in response to the defendant’s use of lethal force. Rivera was arrested on the scene and transported to Jamaica Hospital where he received treatment for his injuries.
On March 26, 2024, as part of an ongoing investigation, members of the Queens District Attorney’s Office and the 101st Precinct obtained a court-authorized search warrant for the vehicle. The execution of the warrant led to the discovery of a loaded 9 mm pistol inside the glove compartment. The firearm was found to be defaced, with the serial number scratched off. Rivera’s fingerprints and DNA were found on the gun.
Jones, 43, of Edgemere was arraigned April 16, 2024, on an indictment charging him with criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degrees. He was remanded into custody and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Jones is due back in court April 7.
Assistant District Attorney John Kosinski, Bureau Chief of the Homicide Bureau, prosecuted the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Zawistowski, Assistant Deputy Bureau Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Gabriel Reale of the Homicide Bureau, under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.