‘Tragic case of friendly fire:’ NYPD detective killed during Queens robbery

An NYPD detective was killed by friendly fire during a robbery Tuesday night and police say the suspect is from Brooklyn.

News 12 Staff

Feb 13, 2019, 11:20 AM

Updated 1,888 days ago

Share:

Police say the suspect in an armed robbery that ended with an NYPD detective being killed is from Brooklyn.
Police identified the officer who died as 42-year-old detective Brian Simonsen, a 19-year veteran of the force. Another officer, Sgt. Matthew Gorman, was shot in the leg. He is in stable condition.
Police have identified the suspect as 27-year-old Christopher Ransom. News 12 is told he is from the border of Crown Heights and Brownsville and has eight prior arrests. News 12 is told he was shot multiple times. He's in stable condition at New York–Presbyterian/Queens.
Police announced Wednesday night that Ransom is facing murder, robbery, assault, aggravated manslaughter and menacing charges.
Commissioner James O'Neill says NYPD officers dressed in civilian clothing responded to reports of an armed man at a T-Mobile store in the Richmond Hill neighborhood of Queens around 6:15 p.m.
The commissioner says Detective Simonsen and the sergeant were in the area working on an unrelated case when they heard the call come over the radio. He says they didn't hesitate, immediately responding. Commissioner O'Neill says they looked through the windows of the store. When they didn't see anyone inside, they went into the store.
That's when they say they saw a man fitting the description from the 911 calls coming from the back pointing what appeared to be a handgun. The commissioner says officers opened fire and somehow, Detective Simonsen was hit.
He says the detective was immediately put into a marked police car and rushed to the hospital, but despite their efforts, he died.
Police say a passerby and a civilian vehicle stopped and helped get the sergeant who was also shot to the hospital.
The Police Benevolent Association tweeted out a video of the escort for Detective Simonsen's body.  State police, FDNY firefighters, as well as Bridge and Tunnel officers all lined the highway to show respect.
"Make no mistake about it, friendly fire aside, it's because of the actions of the suspect that Detective Simonsen is dead," said NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill.
As for the weapon he pointed at officers, police say it was a fake gun.
Simonsen, who called Long Island home, leaves behind his wife.
He was also an elected delegate for the 102nd Precinct squad. The squad had a meeting Tuesday morning and officers say because of that meeting, Simonsen was excused from being at work Tuesday night.
Despite being excused, he went anyway. The Detective Endowment Association says that act shows just what type of man he was.
Viewings for Simonsen have been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday and a service will be held next Wednesday.
 


More from News 12
1:56
Police: Student, 17, charged with multiple felonies for bringing unloaded gun and bullets to school

Police: Student, 17, charged with multiple felonies for bringing unloaded gun and bullets to school

2:29
Mostly sunny with highs near 70 for Tuesday; chance for rain by midweek

Mostly sunny with highs near 70 for Tuesday; chance for rain by midweek

2:23
State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

1:43
Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

1:32
Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

0:58
Police: Man spray-painted antisemitic messages at homes, Jewish center in East Meadow

Police: Man spray-painted antisemitic messages at homes, Jewish center in East Meadow

1:56
State officials: More chemical drums could be buried beneath Bethpage baseball field

State officials: More chemical drums could be buried beneath Bethpage baseball field

1:33
Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

1:32
Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

0:26
Police: Central Islip business cited for violation after State Liquor Authority investigation

Police: Central Islip business cited for violation after State Liquor Authority investigation

1:39
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

4:39
Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

1:49
Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

0:32
State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

0:52
Paws of War service dogs attend candlelight remembrance vigil in Farmingdale

Paws of War service dogs attend candlelight remembrance vigil in Farmingdale

2:04
CDC: Most women do not get a mammogram because of financial difficulties

CDC: Most women do not get a mammogram because of financial difficulties

0:38
'Pearls of Wisdom' tea event in Riverhead aims to empower young Black women

'Pearls of Wisdom' tea event in Riverhead aims to empower young Black women

0:52
Splish Splash hosts 8th annual Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics athletes

Splish Splash hosts 8th annual Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics athletes

0:24
Police: Car crashes onto guardrail, overturns on LIE in Brentwood; driver injured

Police: Car crashes onto guardrail, overturns on LIE in Brentwood; driver injured