GUY RIVERA SENTENCED TO 115 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR FATAL SHOOTING OF NYPD DETECTIVE JONATHAN DILLER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER OF NYPD SERGEANT

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Guy Rivera was sentenced to 115 years to life in prison today after being convicted by a jury of aggravated manslaughter in the first degree and attempted murder in the first degree for fatally shooting NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller and attempting to murder NYPD Sergeant Sasha Rosen in Far Rockaway on March 25, 2024.

Detective Diller was an officer at the time of his murder and was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective.

District Attorney Katz said: "This defendant ignored repeated lawful commands and used an illegal firearm to kill a dedicated police officer and attempt to murder an NYPD sergeant. Jonathan Diller represented the very best of law enforcement: courage, commitment and service to community. He was a father, a husband and a son. He was also a dedicated member of the New York City Police Department who put on a uniform every day to protect our city. The void left by his senseless loss at the hands of this defendant is immeasurable. Today's sentence of 115 years to life in prison does not erase the tragedy of March 25, 2024, but it ensures that this defendant will never be free again to terrorize the streets of New York City."

Guy Rivera, 36, of Long Island City, was convicted by a jury on April 1 of aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He was acquitted of murder in the first degree.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise sentenced the defendant today to 25 years to life for aggravated manslaughter, 40 years to life for attempted murder, 25 years to life for one count of criminal possession of a weapon and 25 years to life for another count of criminal possession of a weapon. The terms will run consecutive to one another for a total prison term of 115 years to life in prison.

DA Katz said that, according to the investigation and trial testimony, on March 25, 2024, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Detective Diller was on patrol in Far Rockaway with the NYPD's Queens South Community Response Team (CRT). CRT Sergeant Rosen noticed a gun-shaped bulge in the front pocket of the defendant's sweatshirt as Rivera exited a store on Mott Avenue with a second individual, Lindy Jones.

Rivera entered the passenger seat of a 2016 Kia Soul parked in front of 19-19 Mott Avenue and Jones entered the driver seat.

Detective Diller and the other members of the CRT team then approached the vehicle. Diller issued numerous commands to Rivera to roll down his window and step out of the vehicle, which the defendant ignored.

The driver, Lindy Jones, also refused an order to unlock the vehicle and CRT Officer Delio Fernandez reached into the car and unlocked the doors from the driver's side control panel. Detective Diller then opened the passenger-side door and instructed Rivera to exit the vehicle. Instead of stepping from the vehicle, Rivera reached into his pocket with his right hand and ignored commands by CRT Officer Veckash Khedna to not put his hands in his pockets. Rivera then quickly drew a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol from his pocket and fired at Detective Diller, striking him in the abdomen below his bulletproof vest.

After shooting Detective Diller, Rivera pointed his gun directly at Sergeant Rosen's chest and pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed. Detective Diller wrestled the gun away from the defendant's hand and then collapsed on the street from his injuries.

Detective Diller was rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where he underwent multiple blood transfusions and emergency surgery but succumbed to his wounds several hours later. The bullet from the defendant's gun severed Diller's iliac artery, which caused internal bleeding.

After the defendant shot Detective Diller, Officer Khedna fired two shots, striking the defendant in the left armpit and right humerus. Rivera was arrested on the scene and transported to Jamaica Hospital where he received treatment for his injuries.

On March 26, 2024, as part of an ongoing investigation, members of the Queens District Attorney's Office and the 101st Precinct obtained a court-authorized search warrant for the vehicle. The execution of the warrant led to the discovery of a second gun: a loaded 9 mm pistol inside the glove compartment. The firearm was found to be defaced, with the serial number scratched off. Rivera's fingerprints and DNA were found on the gun.

Jones, 43, of Edgemere was apprehended by CRT Officer Derval Whyte immediately after the shooting, and Jones was arraigned April 16, 2024, on an indictment charging him with criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degrees. He was remanded into custody and faces up to 15 years in prison, if convicted. Jones is due back in court April 28.

Assistant District Attorney John Kosinski, Bureau Chief of the Homicide Bureau, prosecuted the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Zawistowski, Assistant Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Gabriel Reale, under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.