Un-armed Fit owner killed by NYPD
#1
10-05-2012, 02:35 PM
Un-armed Fit owner killed by NYPD
He also served our country and worked at a local Honda dealership.
Sad. Just plain sad.
Wasn't sure if this was the right forum to post this in but I don't know since it's General? Mods please feel free to move if need be.
Fatal Police Shooting During Queens Traffic Stop Is Probed - WSJ.com
Police Shooting Probed
Unarmed Man Killed by Officer During Traffic Stop Along Grand Central Parkway
By TAMER EL-GHOBASHY And ALISON FOX
A New York police detective shot and killed an unarmed 22-year-old man early Thursday during a traffic stop on a Queens parkway that began with officers observing the man allegedly driving erratically, officials said.
While the circumstances of what led the 14-year veteran detective to fire his weapon remain murky, police officials said the episode began when officers from an elite unit observed a Honda Fit weaving in and out of traffic on Grand Central Parkway and twice cutting off vehicles the officers were traveling in.
Once the Honda was stopped, which required officers to surround it with their vehicles, the detective approached the car on the passenger side and fired a single shot into the car, fatally striking Noel Polanco in the abdomen, police said.
Mr. Polanco, who was driving two female passengers home from a nightclub, became the seventh person in two months to be fatally shot by police. He was one of two who were unarmed.
"I just want to understand it," said Cecilia Reyes, the 46-year-old mother of Mr. Polanco, who was an Army reservist. "My son never owned a gun. I just can't believe they did this."
According to the NYPD's top spokesman, Paul Browne, the detective was among two teams of Emergency Services Unit officers traveling east on the parkway at about 5 a.m. in two unmarked police vehicles, a truck and a van. A law-enforcement official identified him as Det. Hassan Hamdy, 39.
The officers—part of the Apprehension Team, which specializes in taking violent felony suspects into custody—had executed an arrest warrant in the Bronx and were en route to another assignment in Brooklyn when they saw the Honda speeding and driving erratically, Mr. Browne said. The Honda twice cut off the police vehicles, which were driving in tandem a short distance from each other, Mr. Browne said. The officers then turned on their lights and sirens and, through a loud speaker, ordered the Honda to pull over.
The driver didn't immediately comply and appeared to speed up at one point, Mr. Browne said. The officers positioned one vehicle in front of the Honda and slowed down, while a second police vehicle remained directly behind it, forcing the Honda to stop near an exit for La Guardia Airport, Mr. Browne said.
Det. Hamdy approached the Honda from the passenger side, while a sergeant approached from the driver's side, he said, with the officers ordering the occupants to keep their hands visible. Mr. Browne said the detective reached the open passenger window and at some point fired a single round into the car.
He said it wasn't clear what, if anything, was said between the detective and the driver. By law, NYPD investigators are not allowed to speak to officers who fire their weapons until the district attorney's office completes an investigation and determines whether to put the case before a grand jury. Det. Hamdy had never fired his weapon on duty, Mr. Browne said.
A law-enforcement official with knowledge of the matter said Mr. Polanco made a "furtive movement" and appeared to be reaching under his seat when the detective approached.
While no weapon was found in the Honda, Mr. Browne said a yellow, 4-volt Ryobi power-drill was recovered from underneath the driver's seat.
One of the passengers, Diane Deferrari, 36, told investigators she last saw Mr. Polanco with his hands on the steering wheel when the shot was fired, Mr. Browne said. She also told investigators that she had argued with Mr. Polanco over his fast driving during the ride, Mr. Browne said.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Ms. Deferrari said: "Nothing happened to provoke what [the police] did. Nothing." She described the officers, one of whom she said made an obscene gesture at them before pulling them over, as having "road rage" after Mr. Polanco cut them off. "It was no accident," she said. "At no time did they identify themselves as police officers until their guns were in our face, and they shot him."
"The officer that shot him, shot him through my open window across into him," she said. "Had I moved, I would have been dead. Noel's hands were on the steering wheel—he had no time to reach for anything. I looked at him, and all of the sudden there was a pop."
She said officers then forced everyone out of the car, dragging Mr. Polanco on the ground. She said that one officer then told her: "Your friend shot himself."
Mr. Browne said the witness's narrative couldn't be confirmed or denied until the district attorney's office completes its investigation and the detective is allowed to speak with NYPD investigators.
The second passenger in Mr. Polanco's car, a 29-year-old off-duty police officer, was asleep in the back seat and was awakened by the gunshot but didn't witness what preceded it, Mr. Browne said. Mr. Polanco had offered the two women a ride home from an Astoria nightclub, where he worked and where Ms. Deferrari bartends. The off-duty officer was a patron who is friends with Ms. Deferrari.
Ms. Deferrari said she had served Mr. Polanco two or three drinks over the course of several hours and that he didn't appear to be intoxicated early Thursday.
In addition to his job at the club, Ice Lounge, Mr. Polanco worked as a porter at a Honda dealership in the Woodside neighborhood of Queens and was an automotive enthusiast. He was also part of the New York Army National Guard, with the rank of specialist, and was assigned to the 1156 Engineer Company in Kingston, N.Y., according to a spokesman. Mr. Polanco joined in 2008, and his tour was scheduled to end in 2014.
Relatives and friends said Mr. Polanco was an astute worker and had a positive disposition, even though he had recently experienced a tragedy: he discovered the body of his father, who had committed suicide about three months ago. "He was a really good, positive kid," said a friend, Tito Cordero. "All he did was work and fix cars. He just loved cars. He was never a stressed out person."
Ms. Reyes, his mother, said he was the third in a line of men she recently lost. Her father died about six months ago, followed by her husband's suicide.
"This cannot be happening," she said of her son's death. "He had a great heart. He was not a bad kid."
Brian Benstock, the general manager and vice president of the Honda dealership where Mr. Polanco worked, said he was attracted to Mr. Polanco's military background when he hired him in July. "He was a good young kid who served his country, and I have a lot of respect for people with that profile," he said. "It's a tragedy when a young guy like him loses his life."
Mr. Benstock said Mr. Polanco never displayed traits that were troubling and urged patience with the authorities' inquiry into Mr. Polanco's death.
"I don't want to rush to judgment," he said. "Let's let the facts come out before we make a determination."
Police Shooting Probed
Unarmed Man Killed by Officer During Traffic Stop Along Grand Central Parkway
By TAMER EL-GHOBASHY And ALISON FOX
A New York police detective shot and killed an unarmed 22-year-old man early Thursday during a traffic stop on a Queens parkway that began with officers observing the man allegedly driving erratically, officials said.
While the circumstances of what led the 14-year veteran detective to fire his weapon remain murky, police officials said the episode began when officers from an elite unit observed a Honda Fit weaving in and out of traffic on Grand Central Parkway and twice cutting off vehicles the officers were traveling in.
Once the Honda was stopped, which required officers to surround it with their vehicles, the detective approached the car on the passenger side and fired a single shot into the car, fatally striking Noel Polanco in the abdomen, police said.
Mr. Polanco, who was driving two female passengers home from a nightclub, became the seventh person in two months to be fatally shot by police. He was one of two who were unarmed.
"I just want to understand it," said Cecilia Reyes, the 46-year-old mother of Mr. Polanco, who was an Army reservist. "My son never owned a gun. I just can't believe they did this."
According to the NYPD's top spokesman, Paul Browne, the detective was among two teams of Emergency Services Unit officers traveling east on the parkway at about 5 a.m. in two unmarked police vehicles, a truck and a van. A law-enforcement official identified him as Det. Hassan Hamdy, 39.
The officers—part of the Apprehension Team, which specializes in taking violent felony suspects into custody—had executed an arrest warrant in the Bronx and were en route to another assignment in Brooklyn when they saw the Honda speeding and driving erratically, Mr. Browne said. The Honda twice cut off the police vehicles, which were driving in tandem a short distance from each other, Mr. Browne said. The officers then turned on their lights and sirens and, through a loud speaker, ordered the Honda to pull over.
The driver didn't immediately comply and appeared to speed up at one point, Mr. Browne said. The officers positioned one vehicle in front of the Honda and slowed down, while a second police vehicle remained directly behind it, forcing the Honda to stop near an exit for La Guardia Airport, Mr. Browne said.
Det. Hamdy approached the Honda from the passenger side, while a sergeant approached from the driver's side, he said, with the officers ordering the occupants to keep their hands visible. Mr. Browne said the detective reached the open passenger window and at some point fired a single round into the car.
He said it wasn't clear what, if anything, was said between the detective and the driver. By law, NYPD investigators are not allowed to speak to officers who fire their weapons until the district attorney's office completes an investigation and determines whether to put the case before a grand jury. Det. Hamdy had never fired his weapon on duty, Mr. Browne said.
A law-enforcement official with knowledge of the matter said Mr. Polanco made a "furtive movement" and appeared to be reaching under his seat when the detective approached.
While no weapon was found in the Honda, Mr. Browne said a yellow, 4-volt Ryobi power-drill was recovered from underneath the driver's seat.
One of the passengers, Diane Deferrari, 36, told investigators she last saw Mr. Polanco with his hands on the steering wheel when the shot was fired, Mr. Browne said. She also told investigators that she had argued with Mr. Polanco over his fast driving during the ride, Mr. Browne said.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Ms. Deferrari said: "Nothing happened to provoke what [the police] did. Nothing." She described the officers, one of whom she said made an obscene gesture at them before pulling them over, as having "road rage" after Mr. Polanco cut them off. "It was no accident," she said. "At no time did they identify themselves as police officers until their guns were in our face, and they shot him."
"The officer that shot him, shot him through my open window across into him," she said. "Had I moved, I would have been dead. Noel's hands were on the steering wheel—he had no time to reach for anything. I looked at him, and all of the sudden there was a pop."
She said officers then forced everyone out of the car, dragging Mr. Polanco on the ground. She said that one officer then told her: "Your friend shot himself."
Mr. Browne said the witness's narrative couldn't be confirmed or denied until the district attorney's office completes its investigation and the detective is allowed to speak with NYPD investigators.
The second passenger in Mr. Polanco's car, a 29-year-old off-duty police officer, was asleep in the back seat and was awakened by the gunshot but didn't witness what preceded it, Mr. Browne said. Mr. Polanco had offered the two women a ride home from an Astoria nightclub, where he worked and where Ms. Deferrari bartends. The off-duty officer was a patron who is friends with Ms. Deferrari.
Ms. Deferrari said she had served Mr. Polanco two or three drinks over the course of several hours and that he didn't appear to be intoxicated early Thursday.
In addition to his job at the club, Ice Lounge, Mr. Polanco worked as a porter at a Honda dealership in the Woodside neighborhood of Queens and was an automotive enthusiast. He was also part of the New York Army National Guard, with the rank of specialist, and was assigned to the 1156 Engineer Company in Kingston, N.Y., according to a spokesman. Mr. Polanco joined in 2008, and his tour was scheduled to end in 2014.
Relatives and friends said Mr. Polanco was an astute worker and had a positive disposition, even though he had recently experienced a tragedy: he discovered the body of his father, who had committed suicide about three months ago. "He was a really good, positive kid," said a friend, Tito Cordero. "All he did was work and fix cars. He just loved cars. He was never a stressed out person."
Ms. Reyes, his mother, said he was the third in a line of men she recently lost. Her father died about six months ago, followed by her husband's suicide.
"This cannot be happening," she said of her son's death. "He had a great heart. He was not a bad kid."
Brian Benstock, the general manager and vice president of the Honda dealership where Mr. Polanco worked, said he was attracted to Mr. Polanco's military background when he hired him in July. "He was a good young kid who served his country, and I have a lot of respect for people with that profile," he said. "It's a tragedy when a young guy like him loses his life."
Mr. Benstock said Mr. Polanco never displayed traits that were troubling and urged patience with the authorities' inquiry into Mr. Polanco's death.
"I don't want to rush to judgment," he said. "Let's let the facts come out before we make a determination."
Wasn't sure if this was the right forum to post this in but I don't know since it's General? Mods please feel free to move if need be.
#4
10-05-2012, 04:04 PM
Exactly!
There's a lot messed things with this story but until we get the facts it's hard to really say.
That area of the GCP has been under construction for a whiiiiiile, well over a year. Combine that slowdown with the fact that NYC drivers have no concept of "Slow traffic keep right" it's hard for any driver to not be constantly changing lanes along that stretch. At that time in the morning however it is quite empty in that direction of traffic. During rush hours most people are constantly zig-zagging accross lanes. so who knows
That part about him finding his father's dead body (after the father committed suicide), and then him being killed..... the poor mother must be going through hell right now.
Unfortunately this is very reminiscent to the Diallou incident (where he was killed while reaching for his wallet in the entrance of his building where he lived), and also more recently the Sean (sp?) Bell killing (the groom-to-be celebrating one last night out with the guys). Add the fact that they've been under scrutiny for their "stop & frisk" policies.
There's a lot messed things with this story but until we get the facts it's hard to really say.
That area of the GCP has been under construction for a whiiiiiile, well over a year. Combine that slowdown with the fact that NYC drivers have no concept of "Slow traffic keep right" it's hard for any driver to not be constantly changing lanes along that stretch. At that time in the morning however it is quite empty in that direction of traffic. During rush hours most people are constantly zig-zagging accross lanes. so who knows
That part about him finding his father's dead body (after the father committed suicide), and then him being killed..... the poor mother must be going through hell right now.
Unfortunately this is very reminiscent to the Diallou incident (where he was killed while reaching for his wallet in the entrance of his building where he lived), and also more recently the Sean (sp?) Bell killing (the groom-to-be celebrating one last night out with the guys). Add the fact that they've been under scrutiny for their "stop & frisk" policies.
#6
10-05-2012, 04:14 PM
I'd like to add that I might not stop immediately for an unmarked police car myself... I am not obligated to and if the "officer" is in plain clothes he's getting a black and white out there before I even talk to him.
I'd probably get shot though.
I'd probably get shot though.
#8
10-05-2012, 04:24 PM
^^^ I don't think many people would either for an unmarked car. Usually when unmarked cars travel that hwy they're ushering/escorting foreign (& domestic) dignitaries to the U.N., especially vans. There's conflicting reports but I think the officer was uniformed. When they make a stop, they do hold the gun (IN THE HOLSTER) initially as a safeguard (can't blame them), but guns drawn out??? Never seen that.
Not to mention they just came from a warrant arrest in the Bronx, and en route to another in Bkln.... adrenalin must have been flowing.
Exactly @ Subie.
Not to mention they just came from a warrant arrest in the Bronx, and en route to another in Bkln.... adrenalin must have been flowing.
Exactly @ Subie.
#9
10-05-2012, 04:25 PM
I know this is no laughing matter but sorry I just visualized somethin' funny with what you said... The Fit is really kinda not a getaway car 
unless the chase would be in the back alleys nor is it a good ram car 
against Crown Victorias and the likes... Kidding aside, for sure, I hear 'ya...
#10
10-05-2012, 04:44 PM
Exactly, and it's a rare sight to see one that's modded (besides tints) around here so it doesn't really fall in to the ricer/racer/ganster or whatever profile they think. Most people I see driving them around here are soccer moms & the like. Heck NYC don't even have a Fit crew/club anymore. Road rage, adrenalin, etc, etc... don't make a good mix.
There was a different incident in Harlem a few years ago where an off duty cop got cut off by a driver, and the cop followed him I believe on to the FDR and road rage shot the other driver... fatally!
If I'm not mistaken that officer got kicked off the force.
There was a different incident in Harlem a few years ago where an off duty cop got cut off by a driver, and the cop followed him I believe on to the FDR and road rage shot the other driver... fatally!
If I'm not mistaken that officer got kicked off the force.
#11
10-05-2012, 04:46 PM
I know this is no laughing matter but sorry I just visualized somethin' funny with what you said... The Fit is really kinda not a getaway car unless the chase would be in the back alleys nor is it a good ram car against Crown Victorias and the likes... Kidding aside, for sure, I hear 'ya...
If an unmarked car rams me they're buying me a new car.
There's been a couple times i've been pulled over and they came out with guns drawn to the window. My friend was DWM (driving while mexican) and they assumed the car was stolen
The car was not reported stolen btw...
#12
10-05-2012, 05:19 PM
#13
10-05-2012, 07:08 PM
horrible news but not surprising the cops drew blood first then asks questions later. more and more reports are coming up about how the police are handling situations in the wrong matter. although a majority of the detectives are nice guys i've come across alot of the uniformed officers that a tad bit racist, almost like they just got a GED and joined the force for the gun and badge to taunt around.
#14
10-05-2012, 07:13 PM
Definitely sad and tragic. We obviously cannot tell what all led up to the situation (and may well never know all that clearly). That said, at least as reported, things do seem a bit fishy on the part of the policeman, at least overreacting some in the heat of the moment.
How do you even begin to furtively reach under the driver's seat of a Fit while you're sitting in it? There's no gap at the front because of the gas tank there—there's no place to reach. Certainly, I don't see how one could start to pull a cordless drill out from under it and have it look at all like a weapon, as seems to be the insinuation here.
A law-enforcement official with knowledge of the matter said Mr. Polanco made a "furtive movement" and appeared to be reaching under his seat when the detective approached.
While no weapon was found in the Honda, Mr. Browne said a yellow, 4-volt Ryobi power-drill was recovered from underneath the driver's seat.
While no weapon was found in the Honda, Mr. Browne said a yellow, 4-volt Ryobi power-drill was recovered from underneath the driver's seat.
#18
10-08-2012, 10:44 AM
911's a joke in my town
updates
NY1 Online: Passenger In Vehicle Where National Guardsman Was Shot Speaks To Reporters - NY1.com
Queens DA Looks Into Fatal NYPD Traffic Stop - NY1.com
Mother Of National Guardsman Shot By Police Meets With National Action Network - NY1.com
Lawyer For Detective Accused Of Shooting National Guardsman Speaks - NY1.com
Well, it looks like the local media has given this story some press. Al Sharpton's involved now, the mother was shown in a press conference and she will not rest until justice is served, and even the victim had a press conference too. This is going to get big.
Turns out Det. Hamdi has had other incidents that were dismissed, or whatever. Also it turns out they boxed the Fit owner in (one van in front and one on the left), and made him stop on the left lane (where there's been construction for a while and there is no shoulder). Eight police officers surrounded the car with guns drawn, and even rifles. (reported by local CBS 2 news). The passenger said that he still had his hands on the wheel when he was shot too and that he wasn't reaching for anything.
But just as the other cases of police killing, the officer will probably get his gun taken away and issued a desk job keeping his salary & benefits, while the mother has to live the rest of her life with the loss of her son. No gun or anything was found (no more mention of the drill) and he had no record at all, except for being a National guardsman, working 2 jobs to help his mother, and doing a good deed by driving his co-worker & her friend home.
Sad.... very, sad.
It was a 2012 CBP Sport that he had. I have a CBP Fit, and I've driven on that road literally thousands of times. Not too comfortable even changing lanes anymore on that stretch.
in another unrelated story
http://queens.ny1.com/content/top_stories/170327/family-of-man-shot-and-killed-by-police-in-queens-home-wants-answers
Sorry for the long post forum, this one kind of hit home.
NY1 Online: Passenger In Vehicle Where National Guardsman Was Shot Speaks To Reporters - NY1.com
Queens DA Looks Into Fatal NYPD Traffic Stop - NY1.com
Mother Of National Guardsman Shot By Police Meets With National Action Network - NY1.com
Lawyer For Detective Accused Of Shooting National Guardsman Speaks - NY1.com
Well, it looks like the local media has given this story some press. Al Sharpton's involved now, the mother was shown in a press conference and she will not rest until justice is served, and even the victim had a press conference too. This is going to get big.
Turns out Det. Hamdi has had other incidents that were dismissed, or whatever. Also it turns out they boxed the Fit owner in (one van in front and one on the left), and made him stop on the left lane (where there's been construction for a while and there is no shoulder). Eight police officers surrounded the car with guns drawn, and even rifles. (reported by local CBS 2 news). The passenger said that he still had his hands on the wheel when he was shot too and that he wasn't reaching for anything.
But just as the other cases of police killing, the officer will probably get his gun taken away and issued a desk job keeping his salary & benefits, while the mother has to live the rest of her life with the loss of her son. No gun or anything was found (no more mention of the drill) and he had no record at all, except for being a National guardsman, working 2 jobs to help his mother, and doing a good deed by driving his co-worker & her friend home.
Sad.... very, sad.
It was a 2012 CBP Sport that he had. I have a CBP Fit, and I've driven on that road literally thousands of times. Not too comfortable even changing lanes anymore on that stretch.
in another unrelated story
http://queens.ny1.com/content/top_stories/170327/family-of-man-shot-and-killed-by-police-in-queens-home-wants-answers
Sorry for the long post forum, this one kind of hit home.
