The violent ex-con accused of shooting NYPD officers while on parole during a tense four-hour standoff gave a sinister grin as he was hit with an attempted murder attempt at Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday.
Edwin Rivera, 34, who includes a 2009-appointed drug and gun bust on the rap sheet, was arrested on a 9-count indictment for a wild shootout on February 18th, sending him and one of New York's finest to hospital, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said.
In the courtroom, Rivera wore a beard and fear, and smirked at the courtroom as she looked around for her supporters before being held without bail.
“We have absolutely no tolerance for conduct that harms officers. The charges for this indictment reflect the severity of the case being handled,” Da Alvin Bragg said.
“Their job is extremely dangerous and I hope that the detective who was shot will continue to recover from his injuries,” Bragg added in a statement.
Officials said officers appeared at Rivera's Lower East Side apartment around 5am and executed a search warrant. Police were forced to retreat when several shots were fired through the door.
Police attempted to negotiate with Rivera while barricaded, and had cut off communication, so police tried to enter the apartment shortly after 8am.
The officer was injured, and other officers returned the fire and wounded Rivera, who was detained.
Both suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
“The shooting of police officers in uniform is an attack on our entire city,” NYPD commissioner Jessica Tish said in a statement Monday. “The indictment serves as a reminder of the dangers NYPD officers face every day while working to keep New York City safe.”
Police and records show Rivera is no stranger to the criminal justice system.
His recent arrest came in November when he allegedly brawled with police officers after being caught on a stolen electric scooter outside his apartment, but he remained free without bail as he was not eligible for bail under LAX crime reforms in New York.
After Rivera's arrest, Tish said he was paroleed four times during his criminal history – and was actually still on parole when he was allegedly shot at the police officer.
