Emotions ran high Wednesday as a suspect connected to the Queens killing of Police Officer Jonathan Diller on Monday afternoon faced the walk of shame – and the derision of local residents.
Lindy Jones, 41, was escorted out of the 101st Precinct stationhouse, located on the Rockaway Peninsula, on March 27 after having been charged with criminal possession of a weapon and willful defacement of weapon.
Jones was charged after authorities conducted a court-authorized search of his vehicle and found an illegal 9mm pistol in the glove compartment with the serial number scratched off. Jones was behind the wheel of the car when Guy Rivera shot and killed 31-year-old Diller.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said that Jones faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the weapons possession charges. He also faces an additional 15 years in prison on a separate open weapons charge from April 2023. Jones, authorities said, had a lengthy rap sheet, having been convicted of attempted murder in 2002.
“My office will continue working around the clock to seek justice on behalf of Officer Diller’s loved ones, his NYPD family and in honor of his selflessness and courage,” Katz said after Jones was arraigned Wednesday afternoon. “A young police officer and father was ruthlessly gunned down in the line of duty, protecting and serving the city of New York.”
Prior to Jones’ arraignment, he was walked out of the precinct in cuffs and stuffed in the back of a waiting car bound for Queens County Criminal Court in Kew Gardens. As he was leaving the stationhouse, he was met by dozens of officers’ stealing gazes at him — and an array of locals who screamed at the suspect.
“Shame on you, young man!” one woman cried.
Reporters also peppered Jones with questions, but he refused to answer.
The 101st Precinct stationhouse itself has become a makeshift memorial to Diller, with a framed photo hanging outside and an array of flowers set up in his honor. Fellow officers could be seen breaking down as they placed their hands on the image of their fallen brother.
Police said Jones had been in the driver’s seat of a car parked in a bus lane on Mott Avenue with Rivera when police say Diller approached their vehicle and asked them to step out.
Apparently refusing, 34-year-old Rivera allegedly shot Diller in the abdomen just below his vest before being shot in the back himself by another cop.
Police sources say they were investigating whether the two suspects were planning a robbery at the time Diller approached them.
According to police sources, 41-year-old Lindy Jones had been questioned at the 101 precinct since Diller was gunned down.
The funeral for Diller is scheduled for Saturday in Long Island.
