An NYPD officer, who was attacked and stabbed seven times by two assailants in the Bronx last week, has been released from the hospital and is now recovering. Detective Jose Mercedes shared with The Post that he is feeling better after his discharge on Monday evening.
When contacted by The Post on Saturday, the 33-year-old, who has been with the NYPD for a decade, said, “I’m feeling much better, thank you.”
The detective, who was off-duty at the time, was targeted in broad daylight on October 2 while cleaning out his car trunk in Norwood. Authorities reported that a duo on an e-bike attempted to steal his gold chain.
Mercedes, who is assigned to the 44th Precinct, fought back against the attackers in an effort to protect himself.
According to officials, the assailants stabbed him multiple times in the neck and leg before fleeing with the chain on their motorized bike.
Shocking footage obtained by The Post captured Mercedes covered in blood as he was loaded onto a stretcher and taken to Jacobi Medical Center, where he remained for several days.
On Monday evening, the wounded officer was greeted with cheers and applause from dozens of fellow officers as he was wheeled out of the hospital. Bagpipes played in celebration of his recovery.
With a smile, Mercedes stood from his wheelchair and gave a thumbs-up to the crowd that had gathered in support of him.
On Tuesday, police identified the two suspects, who were seen on surveillance footage leaving the scene. D’Angelo Caraballo, 25, was named as the individual who attacked Mercedes, while Sneider Mejia, 24, was identified as the driver of the e-bike.
Both men, reportedly illegal immigrants from the Dominican Republic, were discovered hiding in a basement in Lynn, Massachusetts, by the U.S. Marshals Service and were taken into custody, according to the NYPD.
They are set to be returned to New York City to face charges of attempted murder. During their court appearance in Lynn District Court on Wednesday, both suspects were ordered held without bail.
