A Brooklyn teenager was indicted on charges of attempted murder and assault of an NYPD police officer with a getaway car, leaving him in a coma, the Brooklyn district attorney announced Friday.
Justin Murrell, 15, of Brownsville, Brooklyn was arraigned Friday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo.
Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, “The defendant in this case allegedly tried to escape during a lawful stop and, in doing so, seriously injured a dedicated police officer. This appalling and senseless criminal behavior will be prosecuted to the fullest extent because we simply won’t allow anyone to put our police officers in harm’s way. My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Veve and his family.”
On June 3, police responded to a report of shots fired at Tilden Avenue and East 53rd Street in East Flatbush, Gonzalez said. Officer Dalsh Veve approached a stolen black Honda Civic that was driven by Murrell and had three other passengers, according to the investigation.
When Veve tried to stop the car, Murrell fled with the officer holding onto the car, officials said. He drove up to 56 mph, officials said. Veve shot Murrell in the jaw before being flung from the car. He suffered severe head injuries and remains in a coma, officials said.
Murrell crashed the car and he and the three passengers fled on foot, saon id officials. Murrell took an Uber to Brookdale University Hospital.
Murrell was ordered held without bail and to return to court on August 22. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted.