Far Rockaway, New York – A former convict with a history of violence, Lindy Jones, 41, faced arraignment in Queens criminal court on Tuesday in connection to the shooting death of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller. Jones, known on the streets as “Killa,” was held without bail on charges of criminal possession of a weapon related to the incident that took place on March 25. During the altercation, Diller was fatally shot in the stomach by Jones’ passenger, Guy Rivera, with a gun that prosecutors stated had jammed during the attack.
The charges against Jones stem from a 9mm pistol found in the car Jones was driving, rather than the gun used to kill Diller. According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, Jones could face up to 15 years in prison on the current charges, with an additional 15 years on a separate weapons charge from April 2023. Rivera, a convicted criminal with multiple prior arrests, is also facing charges related to Diller’s murder and could spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted.
Diller, a three-year veteran of the NYPD and a father to a 1-year-old boy, was questioning Jones and Rivera when he was shot below his bulletproof vest. Bodycam footage captured Diller’s last moments as he realized he had been shot, while Rivera, standing just feet away, also attempted to harm another officer after shooting Diller. Fortunately, the gun jammed after firing the fatal shot, preventing further injuries.
As the case unfolds, both Jones and Rivera are navigating the legal system, with Jones scheduled to appear in court on June 12 and Rivera on May 7. The tragic loss of Detective Diller has sparked outrage and calls for justice, with the Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz vowing to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions. Diller was laid to rest after a somber funeral service that drew hundreds of uniformed officers and included a visit from former President Donald Trump.