Defendant Pleads Guilty to Attempted Armed Robbery of a Federal Officer in Brooklyn

 

John Shortt Sparked a Shoot-Out that Left One Person Dead and Four Injured Including Himself

 In federal court in Brooklyn, John Shortt pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Eric Komitee to assault of a federal police officer and possessing and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with the attempted robbery of a federal officer outside a nightclub in Brooklyn.  When sentenced, Shortt faces up to 27 years in prison. 

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea. 

“With this guilty plea, John Shortt is held responsible for causing a wild shoot-out on a public street that resulted in one death, seriously wounded three victims including a federal officer who was targeted by the defendant for a robbery, and endangered numerous other persons,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This Office and our law enforcement partners are working tirelessly to reduce gun-related violence in the district and we will vigorously prosecute criminals like the defendant who use illegal firearms with complete disregard for the consequences of their actions.”  Mr. Peace thanked the New York City Police Department for its assistance with the case.

According to court documents, on September 18, 2021, Shortt and an accomplice, Isiah Greenaway, attempted to rob a United States Park Police Officer and another individual at gunpoint outside a nightclub located at 1440 Utica Avenue in Brooklyn.   The officer drew his weapon and announced himself as a police officer to protect himself and prevent a felony in-progress.  The attempted robbery led to a shoot-out in which the officer and two other individuals were seriously wounded, and another man was killed.  Shortt was also shot by the officer.  Greenaway is charged with assault of a federal police officer and possessing and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  Greenaway’s case is pending and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.