DA: NYPD officer caught on video shoving protester charged with assault

An NYPD officer who was seen on video shoving a protester in Brooklyn turned himself in Tuesday and has been charged with assault.

News 12 Staff

Jun 9, 2020, 12:48 PM

Updated 1,585 days ago

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An NYPD officer who was seen on video shoving a protester in Brooklyn turned himself in Tuesday and has been charged with assault.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Tuesday that the officer has been charged in a criminal complaint with assault, criminal mischief, harassment and menacing.

The officer, 28-year-old Vincent D'Andraia with the 73rd Precinct, was caught on camera shoving a protester to the ground during a demonstration in Brownsville on May 29.

He was arraigned Tuesday in Brooklyn Criminal Court virtually on a criminal complaint in which he is charged with third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree harassment and third-degree menacing.

His weapons were taken by the police department when he was suspended.

"I fully support the long-held American tradition of non-violent protest. As District Attorney I cannot tolerate the use of excessive force against anyone exercising this Constitutionally guaranteed right. This is especially true of those who are sworn to protect us and uphold the law. I am deeply troubled by this unnecessary assault. We will now seek to hold this defendant accountable, says Gonzalez.

News 12 is told his supervisor, Commanding Officer Craig Edelman, has been transferred from the 73rd Precinct.

The woman, identified as 20-year-old Dounya Zayer, later said in social media posts that she suffered a concussion and seizure as a result of the encounter.

The officer had previously been suspended without pay.

A sergeant who was also at the scene was reassigned, NYPD officials have said.

PBA President Pat Lynch said at a news conference he is disappointed DAs are saying they won't prosecute criminals who have been participating in looting, but that D'Andraia is facing charges.

D'Andraia's next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 15.
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