Bronx Man Charged In Connection With Shooting At NYPD Officers

 

Anthony Gomez Allegedly Shot at Police Officers While on Leave from Federal Halfway House

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced charges against ANTHONY GOMEZ alleging that on June 16, 2023, he fired a 9mm bullet at NYPD officers in broad daylight on a busy street in the Bronx while he was on leave from a federal halfway house where he was completing his sentence for armed robbery.  Following the shooting, GOMEZ hid inside of a residential building, and eight hours later, he was arrested by the NYPD.  GOMEZ was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein.

NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “By allegedly escaping from federal custody and brazenly shooting a gun at uniformed NYPD officers in broad daylight on a busy Bronx street, this repeat criminal has proven that he is a dangerous threat to our community.  I commend the work of our courageous NYPD officers in arresting and removing this violent felon from our streets, and the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York for its work in prosecuting this case.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint:[1]

NYPD officers witnessed GOMEZ attempting to hide a firearm in the front-right wheel well of a vehicle parked on a residential street in the Bronx.  When he realized he had been caught, GOMEZ grabbed the gun and tried to run from police.  

While attempting to flee, GOMEZ came upon additional NYPD officers, pointed the firearm at them several times, and fired a shot at them.  

After shooting the firearm at NYPD officers, GOMEZ continued to flee, hid inside a residential building, and was subsequently arrested by NYPD outside of a neighboring building with a rooftop that connects to the residential building in which GOMEZ hid.

GOMEZ was not permitted to possess ammunition because of his prior federal convictions for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and using, carrying, and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.

GOMEZ committed this shooting while he was away on an approved pass from the halfway house at which he was residing.  GOMEZ failed to return to the halfway house before his designated curfew and is thus considered to have escaped from federal custody.

GOMEZ, 33, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with possession of ammunition after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, and escape from custody, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. 

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and thanked the United States Marshals Service and the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.