Gunman Attacks Cops Twice In 12 Hours, Gets Arrested

A gunman who attacked police officers twice in 12 hours in Bronx, New York, was arrested on Sunday. The police officers have blamed the incident on the anti-police rhetoric which has recently increased the violence in the area.

The incident began unfolding early on Sunday, when 45-year-old Robert Williams, fired at two police officers who were in a patrol van in some part of Bronx. One of the officers was wounded in the firing. According to police, Williams escaped from the area on foot.

Shortly before 8 a.m., Williams walked into a police station in Bronx and began firing at the officers. He managed to hit a lieutenant on the arm and narrowly missed another officer before running out of bullets. Williams then lay down and tossed his gun aside, which allowed the cops to capture him.

No casualties were reported in the incident. The first officer, Paul Stroffolino, who was wounded by Williams, was released from the hospital later on Sunday. Stroffolino, who had a bandage on his neck, was greeted by applause from his colleagues.

“It is only by the grace of God and the heroic actions of those inside the building that took him into custody that we are not talking about police officers murdered inside a New York City police precinct,” Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said at a news conference, the Associated Press quoted.

He blamed the incident on criminal justice reform activists protesting against the use of excessive force by the police, for creating an anti-police environment and increasing the violence in the borough.

“These things are not unrelated. We had people marching through the streets of New York City recently,” Shea told reporters at the conference. “Words matter. And words affect people’s behavior.”

However, he did not offer any proof that Williams’ actions were related or incited by the protests taking place in the city.

Mayor Bill de Blasio also lashed out at the anti-police rhetoric that was on the rise in the city.

“Anyone who spews hatred at our officers is aiding and abetting this kind of atmosphere; it is not acceptable,” de Blasio said. “You could protest for whatever you believe in, but you cannot vilely attack those who are here to protect us. It creates this kind of dynamic.”

Williams was hospitalized late on Sunday after his capture. He is being charged with attempted murder, criminal weapon possession and resisting arrest. It is not known whether he has an attorney to speak for him.

Williams’ grandmother, Mary Williams, 80, told the New York Post, that Williams had lost his only son after he was shot in the Bronx and that he was depressed because of it.