Watch CBS News

Suspect Arrested In Bronx Off-Duty Officer Shooting

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police have arrested a suspect wanted in connection with an attempted murder of an NYPD officer in the Bronx Sunday morning.

Earlier Monday, Police released a photo of suspect Samuel Ventura.   Authorities said Ventura was involved in the shooting of off-duty Detective Richard Olmo.

Ventura was apprehended in Waterbury, Connecticut early Monday evening.

The 43-year-old officer was leaving the Pelham Bay Diner in the Pelham Gardens area of the Bronx around 5 a.m. when an altercation ended in an exchange of gunshots, including one that struck him in the lower back.

Police say he was trying to break up a fight instigated by a driver who struck Olmo's friend's car in the parking lot of the diner.

The officer was taken to Jacobi Hospital in stable condition and released from the hospital Monday afternoon.

Detectives combed the area in search of six suspects who are believed to have left driving southbound on I-95 in a dark colored 1996 Chevrolet Caprice, police said.

Diner server Christina Grahollis said it was pretty frightening.

"What if a stray bullet would have came through? I have kids," she told 1010 WINS on Sunday.

Server Dwayne Barrett said he never would have expected it since the cop and his friends were having a good time inside.

"They were casual. They were making jokes. Everybody was together. It was funny. They were just good people," Barrett said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.