‘I feel like they are hiding something.’ Family of man fatally shot by off-duty NYPD officer speaks out
Investigators say the off-duty officer, who has not been identified, was standing outside a building when two men on a moped rode up.
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The man who was fatally shot by an off-duty NYPD officer in Washington Heights on Sunday has been identified by his family as 30-year-old Lahionel Ernesto.
Investigators say the off-duty officer, who has not been identified, was standing outside a building near West 173rd and Amsterdam Avenue on Aug. 17 around 9:45 p.m., when two men on a moped rode up. Things escalated when officers say one of the men approached the officer and asked if he knew someone's name and then flashed a gun.
Officials say that’s when the off-duty officer fired multiple shots.
Ernesto, who lived in Kingsbridge, was pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital. Ernesto's family says they do not know who the second man was that he was with on Sunday night.
A growing memorial with candles and photos of Ernesto was placed outside his partner's apartment in the Bronx.
"They gave us the news very cold. They didn't even try to sit us down…for me personally, I feel like they are hiding something…you can't leave us with no news, nothing," said Zoe, Ernesto's niece.
Ernesto's father said his son leaves behind three children, including a 5-year-old in the Dominican Republic.
"The police have not contacted anyone. They don't want to help us…They don't provide information. They don't want to do anything. All I want is for justice to be served,” said Flaka, Ernesto's partner, who did not want to be identified by her full name.
Police say they are looking to speak with the second man who took off on the moped after the shooting.
