WOODSIDE MAN INDICTED ON FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES FOR FATAL SHOOTING OF NYPD DETECTIVE JONATHAN DILLER

 

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Guy Rivera was arraigned on an indictment secured by her office charging him with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller and first-degree attempted murder for attempting to fire at an NYPD sergeant in Far Rockaway on March 25. Rivera, along with codefendant Lindy Jones, was also indicted on weapon charges.

District Attorney Katz said: “Detective Diller was shot and killed while trying to rid our streets of illegal weapons, a lawless act that was an affront to a civilized society. His tragic death is a painful reminder that we must never let up in our quest to get these guns and those who use them off of our streets. We are grateful that the grand jury returned serious charges against the defendant. Our thoughts are with Detective Diller’s family, friends and colleagues as they continue to grieve. We will seek justice for him.”

Guy Rivera, 34, whose last known address is on Broadway in Woodside, was arraigned on an indictment charging him with murder in the first and second degrees, attempted murder in the first and second degrees, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

Rivera faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted. He remains remanded into custody and will return to court on July 22.

Rivera’s co-defendant, Lindy Jones, 41, of Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Edgemere, was arraigned April 16 on charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degrees. He was remanded into custody and faces up to 30 years in prison. He is due back in court on June 12.

According to the charges and statements made in court:

• On March 25, at approximately 5:45 p.m., an officer on patrol in Far Rockaway saw Rivera with what looked like a gun in the front pocket of his sweatshirt, as he exited a store with Jones. Rivera and Jones then got into a 2016 Kia Soul parked in front of 19-19 Mott Avenue, with Jones in the driver’s seat.

• Diller and other officers approached the car and repeatedly asked Rivera to roll down his window before they were able to open the car door. Rivera then removed a gun from his clothing and shot Diller. The officer was struck in the stomach.

• After shooting the officer, Rivera aimed his gun at Sergeant Sasha Rosen, who was with Diller. Sergeant Rosen used his hand to direct the gun away from his body. Rivera’s finger remained on the trigger as he tried to point the .380-caliber pistol back toward the sergeant. 

• The gun was loaded but jammed following the initial shot and was unable to shoot additional rounds.

• Diller was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

• On March 26, as part of an ongoing investigation, members of the Queens District Attorney’s office and the 101st Police 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.

**Criminal complaints and indictments are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.