Holly MatkinBrooklyn, NY – New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Adeed Fayaz died on Feb. 7 after being shot by an armed robber while off-duty three days earlier.
Police said the 26-year-old officer and his brother-in-law went to a location in the 400-block of Ruby Street near Linden Boulevard at approximately 7 p.m. on Feb. 4 to pick up a vehicle he had arranged to purchase for $24,000 from a seller through Facebook Marketplace, WABC reported.
NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said the suspect, 38-year-old Randy “Popper” Jones, acted as if he was joking around soon after he met up with Officer Fayaz and his brother-in-law by asking if either of them was carrying a gun, CNN reported.
Both men claimed they were not, according to Chief Essig.
“At this time, our perpetrator grabs [Fayaz] in a headlock, points the gun at his head, and demands the money,” Chief Essig said, according to CNN.
Officer Fayaz told Jones he didn’t have the cash, so Jones allegedly pointed the gun at the officer’s brother-in-law.
Officer Fayaz managed to break away from his attacker, at which point Jones shot him in the head, according to Chief Essig.
Investigators said Jones continued shooting at the two victims as he fled the scene, CNN reported.
The wounded officer’s brother-in-law was able to draw the gun that Officer Fayaz was carrying on his hip and fired at the gunman at least six times, Chief Essig said.
The officer’s brother-in-law was not injured during the gunfight, police said.
Investigators said there were no security cameras in the alley where Jones had arranged to meet up with the two victims.
But dashcam footage from the brother-in-law’s vehicle showed the SUV that the suspect fled in and helped detectives track him down, CNN reported.
Chief Essig said the suspect vehicle was seen pulling into a Department of Sanitation parking lot on Park Avenue at approximately 8:10 p.m. on Feb. 4, according to WNBC.
A man matching the shooter’s description was seen exiting the vehicle and getting into another car that had a woman and five children inside.
Officer Fayaz was still fighting for his life at the hospital when the U.S. Marshals Regional Task Force tracked the second vehicle to a Days Inn in Nanuet, where Jones was ultimately apprehended, WNBC reported.
The alleged cop-killer was taken into custody using Officer Fayaz’s own handcuffs, according to police.
“We wanted him to know what he did to that officer and that officer’s cuffs were on him,” Chief Essig told WNBC. “I think it sends a powerful message.”
There were five children inside the motel room at the time of his arrest ranging from six months old to 11 years old, as well as Jones’ girlfriend, according to Chief Essig.
The girlfriend was questioned but is not expected to face charges, according to WNBC.
The children were all released to her custody.
Jones is the father of two of them, according to WABC.
Officer Fayaz succumbed to his wounds on Tuesday, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell confirmed later that evening.
“Police Officer Adeed Fayaz was a father, a husband, a son, and a protector of our great city,” Commissioner Sewell tweeted. “Officer Fayaz was shot Saturday night and he tragically succumbed to his injuries today. Our Department deeply mourns his passing, and his family and loved ones are in our prayers.”
New York City Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch said the slain officer’s wife and their two young children were by his bedside at the hospital when he was removed from life support, according to the New York Post.
“If you’re fortunate enough to have children, imagine their father never coming home again,” Lynch told WABC. “They’ll never be okay from this.”
Jones has been charged with murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and attempted robbery, WABC reported.
More than 100 law enforcement officers packed into the courtroom on Wednesday for Jones’ arraignment, WABC reported.
A procession of first responders escorted the slain officer’s body to Brooklyn afterwards.
Officer Fayaz joined the NYPD in 2017 and is assigned to the 66th Precinct in Borough Park, WABC reported.
He leaves behind his wife and two children, according to WNBC.
“The whole Pakistani community is devastated right now,” NYPD Auxiliary Officer Baqir Ahma told WABC. “We lost a true hero. Officer Fayaz was a true hero. He lost his life at a young age and the whole Pakistani community is mourning his loss.”
Officer Fayaz’s funeral service was held at the Makki Masjid Muslim Community Center on Thursday, WABC reported.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of NYPD Officer Adeed Fayaz. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who loved him. pic.twitter.com/JkqkQoVoVs
— New York Mets (@Mets) February 9, 2023
Today, we lined the streets to honor and salute #NYPD Police Officer Adeed Fayaz during an escort to the funeral home. pic.twitter.com/iq270qjJvx
— NYPD 72nd Precinct (@NYPD72Pct) February 9, 2023
This is Slain NYPD Officer Adeed Fayaz’s family. This image of his family should be on the desk of every District Attorney in the 5 Boroughs @QueensDAKatz @BrooklynDA @BronxDAClark @ManhattanDA @StatenIslandDA @davidwebbshow pic.twitter.com/CxFHlSWdQG
— E-Man-Detective4LifeAgain (@RicoRic30563203) February 8, 2023
Police Officer Adeed Fayaz was a father, a husband, a son, and a protector of our great city.
Officer Fayaz was shot Saturday night and he tragically succumbed to his injuries today.
Our Department deeply mourns his passing, and his family and loved ones are in our prayers. pic.twitter.com/zK9BdHwvM1
— Commissioner Sewell (@NYPDPC) February 7, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Adeed Fayaz, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Officer Adeed Fayaz, your life mattered.
