File photo/Lloyd Mitchell
An NYPD sergeant assigned to a Bronx precinct is facing manslaughter charges for allegedly throwing a cooler at a fleeing suspect, killing him last summer.
According to multiple investigations, Sgt. Erik Duran was working undercover during a sting operation on Aug. 23, and lured Eric Duprey into selling him drugs near Aqueduct Avenue and W. 190th Street in Kingsbridge Heights.
Duran is due to appear in Bronx Supreme Court Tuesday on an indictment brought by state Attorney General Letitia James charging him with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
After the illicit sale was complete in the sting operation, prosecutors said, Duran informed Duprey that he was a law enforcement officer, and attempted to arrest the alleged drug dealer.
Duprey, however, attempted to escape custody, and hopped on his moped in a frantic getaway.
The police sergeant then threw a plastic cooler at Duprey — striking him in the head, and knocking him off the scooter. Duprey, a 30-year-old father of two children, hit his head on the ground, and later died from that injury.
After the incident, the NYPD launched an investigation into Duran’s actions, and the city medical examiner classified the death as a homicide.
Months then went by with no final decision from authorities as the sergeant remained on unpaid leave, until the state’s chief prosecutor brought charges against Duran, with his indictment expected to be formalized on Tuesday.
According to the NYPD, the defendant is being charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and assault.
Attorney General James’ office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Last year, Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer, criticized Duran, saying “We don’t throw coolers at fleeing suspects.”
Meanwhile, the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) has come to Duran’s defense, with the union’s chief alleging that Duran “made a split-second decision” to…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply