1 Police Officer Fatally Shot, 1 Wounded After Responding To Fight Between A Mother And Son

A rookie police officer was killed and another officer is in critical condition after they were ambushed and shot while responding to a domestic violence incident in New York.

The NYPD has identified Officer Jason Rivera, 22, as the officer who passed away. Officer Wilbert Mora, 27, remains in a hospital in Harlem after receiving a gunshot wound to the back of the head.

On Friday night, the officers were going to a location where there was a problem with a mother and her son. There was no warning that weapons could be involved in the situation.

The mother had contacted police for assistance and had greeted them outside of her apartment around 6:30 pm.

As they walked to a back room to talk to the son, the two officers were shot immediately.

The 47-year-old assailant, Lashawn McNeil, was then shot, by another rookie police officer, in the neck and shoulder. He was reportedly in critical condition.

McNeil has prior arrests for drug and weapons charges and has had behavioral issues for years.

Officer Rivera had only been with the department since 2020. He leaves behind a wife and a son.