Sandy MaloneBronx, NY – The Sergeant’s Benevolent Association (SBA) of the New York Police Department (NYPD) shared a warning of a credible threat to police officers working in and around the 41st Precinct where two NYPD officers were shot less than a week ago.
“WARNING – MUST READ NYPD COPS ASSASSINATION THREAT- the attached notice has been distributed throughout NYPD Commands. REMAIN ALERT – respond with back up on all 9/11 calls,” the SBA captioned a tweet midafternoon on Feb. 13.
The tweet carried a picture of the memo the SBA said NYPD officials had sent out. The text of the memo was written entirely in capital letters.
“Desk Officers – Following information must be passed along and shared with every MOS assigned to your command,” the memo began.
MOS is the acronym for member of service.
“Investigative units have received a credible threat of an individual that may attempt to shoot a NYPD MOS, in particular, a 41 Pct MOS,” the warning memo continued. “All MOS are being advised to be vigilant and alert. Stationhouse security must be posted on all tours.”
“Please advise all MOS and continue to read this message at Roll Calls until further notice,” the memo instructed NYPD commanders.
Two NYPD police officers were shot by the same man in less than 12 hours in the 41st Precinct last weekend.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, 44-year-old Robert Williams approached a marked NYPD van near Fox Street and East 163rd, according to the New York Post.
He asked the two officers for directions then opened fire on them, hitting 31-year-old NYPD Officer Paul Stroffolino in the chin and neck.
His partner, Officer Brian Hanlon, hit the accelerator, allowing them to escape further attack, WNBC reported.
Officer Stroffolino was rushed to a local hospital, and is expected to recover from his wounds.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said that the bullet narrowly missed the officer’s carotid artery, the New York Post reported.
At approximately 8 a.m. on Sunday, Williams stormed into the 41st Precinct station where the effort to locate him was being coordinated and opened fire, WNBC reported.
He was armed with a 9mm SIG Sauer handgun, according to the New York Post.
NYPD Lieutenant Jose Gautreaux, who was hit in the arm by one of the gunman’s bullets, returned fire during the attack, but the shooter wasn’t hit, WNBC reported.
Williams tossed his gun to the floor and surrendered when he ran out of ammunition, according to the New York Post.
Officer Stroffolino was released from the hospital on Saturday to recover at home, and Lt. Gautreaux was released on Monday.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea called the shootings “an assassination attempt at two New York City police officers.”