Suspect Held Without Bail In Shooting Of NYPD Officer In Brooklyn
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A suspect appeared in court Thursday night in a shooting that wounded a police officer in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
The charges against the suspect, Rashun Robinson, 28, of Brooklyn, include attempted murder, assault on a police officer, criminal use of a firearm, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest.
He was arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court Thursday night after being held at the 71st Police Precinct Thursday evening.
He was ordered held without bail, and was set to return to court on Tuesday of next week.
He is accused of shooting Officer James Li, 26, who was wounded in both legs Wednesday by a man – allegedly Robinson – who tried to board a bus without paying, police said.
Robinson was expressionless and handcuffed as he walked out of the police station. He was expected to be held without bond, CBS 2's Tony Aiello reported.
As CBS 2's Tracee Carrasco reported, sources said he showed no remorse, telling officers, "I hate (expletive) cops."
This came after he was accused of shooting Li, who was out with his fellow rookie officer Randy Chow, 30, in a stepped-up enforcement effort on the problem-plagued B46 bus route.
Around 5 p.m. Wednesday, the officers saw two men get on a B46 bus through the rear door at Utica Avenue and Empire Boulevard in Brooklyn, police said.
Rookie NYPD Cop Recovering From Gunshot Wounds
When Li and Chow tried to take the men off the bus, one of them fled on foot, police said. The man then pulled out a gun, turned and fired at the officers, police said.
Several bystanders, including two veteran EMTs, Khadija Hall and Shaun Alexander, rushed to help Li. They were off-duty in a car when they heard shots near the White Castle restaurant and saw Li down in the street.
Rookie NYPD Cop Recovering From Gunshot Wounds
"We saw the bullet hole in his leg," said Hall, a 22-year veteran. "We saw the bullet hole through his pants, and immediately she (Alexander) cut off the pants while I was getting the first aid kit."
"He was calm," said Alexander, a 26-year veteran. "He was nervous, but when we got there, he was all concerned that he was shot all over."
City leaders praised the Good Samaritans who rushed in to save Li's life.
"We knew we had to help," Hall said. "This is just who we are. There was no hesitation. There was no second thought about it."
"I don't consider myself a hero, you know," said Alexander. "We do this every day. We're not the only ones that do this, and there's a lot of us that do this that doesn't get the recognition every day because it's our job."
City Leaders Praise Veteran EMTs For Rushing To Help Rookie NYPD Cop Shot In Brooklyn
"He's OK. At the end of the day, that's the only thing that matters," Hall said.
Li is listed in stable condition at Kings County Hospital. NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said Li is expected to make a full recovery and could return to service later this year.
As Hall and Alexander worked to stabilize Li, his partner called for backup and ran after the suspected gunman.
"Police Officer Chow immediately pursued the perp," Police Chief of Department Philip Banks III said.
Witnesses directed police to the suspect, who was found hiding on the fifth floor of a nearby apartment building.
A Smith & Wesson .45-caliber handgun was found at the scene, and ballistics tests showed that the gun matched up to shell casings at the scene, Banks said.
"A dangerous felon (is) now off the street and a firearm off the street, all as a result of very good police work by two rookie police officers," Bratton said Wednesday. "They did an outstanding job. I'm very proud of them."
Robinson's rap sheet includes six prior arrests, and there's currently a warrant for his arrest in Pennsylvania on suspicion of manufacturing and distributing narcotics, police said. His last arrest in New York City was on a narcotics charge as well.
The second suspect who tried to get on the bus without paying remains at large.
Li is the first NYPD officer to be shot this year and the first to be shot under the new administration of de Blasio and Bratton.
Li and Chow were both graduates of the most recent Police Academy class in December and were on an Operation Impact assignment to watch over city buses, police said.
City Leaders Praise Veteran EMTs For Rushing To Help Rookie NYPD Cop Shot In Brooklyn
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