In August 2023, a major drug bust by the New York City Police Department led to the death of one suspect, Eric Dupree, along with Sergeant Eric Duran facing severe consequences.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman is vowing to pardon Duran as he sets his sights on the upcoming election against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
How it all started
On the afternoon of August 23, 2023, drug enforcement officers initiated a raid in the University Heights area of the Bronx to apprehend drug traffickers.
It was described as “one of the darkest days in law enforcement history.”
Plainclothes officers aimed to arrest 30-year-old Eric Dupree, who was suspected of selling cocaine. But Dupree managed to evade capture by jumping on a motorcycle and speeding away, as captured on camera.
He was seen careening down the sidewalk towards a group of 10 individuals sitting at a table, including Duran, an undercover officer in the Bronx Drug Enforcement Bureau. Duran had previously faced allegations of misconduct.
Witness accounts indicated that Dupree was being pursued when he made a U-turn onto the sidewalk. Officers reportedly took a cooler from a nearby table and hurled it at him.
The incident caused Dupree to lose control, leading to his fatal crash. He was declared dead at the scene.
Duran was suspended the next day, facing charges of manslaughter and other serious offenses from the New York Attorney General’s office.
Throughout his trial, Duran insisted he acted in defense of his colleagues, stating that he didn’t have time to think: “I thought he was going to kill my guys.” He expressed concern that Dupree was heading straight for them.
Duran’s attorney argued that Dupree wasn’t trying to escape but was rather in an aggressive confrontation with the police, attributing Dupree’s death to a series of poor decisions.
In February, Bronx Supreme Court Justice Guy Mitchell delivered a verdict against Duran. Although he was cleared of certain charges, he was convicted of second-degree manslaughter.
Following the announcement of his sentencing, which resulted in Duran being dismissed from the force, he expressed a strong desire to be present for his children. He asked the judge for a chance to be with them.
Justice Mitchell, while recognizing Duran’s remorse, decided to impose a significant prison term as a deterrent for other officers, sentencing him to three to nine years.
Vincent Vallelong, the president of the Sergeants’ Benevolent Association, referred to Duran’s sentencing as a dark mark in law enforcement history and vowed support for Duran during the appeals process.
Blakeman, the Republican candidate aligned with Trump, has pledged that if he wins in November, he will pardon Duran, emphasizing his commitment to supporting law enforcement and enhancing neighborhood safety.
