Man accused of killing NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller indicted on murder charges

Guy Rivera, the man accused of shooting and killing NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller back in March, was arraigned today in Queens Criminal Court on an indictment charging him with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.

The 34-year-old was also indicted on weapons charges. He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted. 

"We are grateful that the grand jury returned serious charges against the defendant," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. "Our thoughts are with Detective Diller’s family, friends and colleagues as they continue to grieve. We will seek justice for him."

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz says she was in the courtroom to explain the process to the family and lend her support. 

"We have had open communication with the family. They're being very brave, they've come out to support, really supporting their husband, their father, their brother and their son," Katz said.

After the arraignment, Diller's family and dozens of police officers came together to show their strong commitment to justice in this case. 

"We hope that this vicious, violent cop killer took a good look at the crowd in that courtroom, because he's going to see us every time he comes to court," President of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Patrick Hendry said.

He remains remanded in custody and will return to court on July 22.

Diller – a 31-year-old father, husband and three-year veteran of the force – was murdered after investigating a vehicle illegally parked at a bus stop in Far Rockaway. According to police, Rivera refused to step out of the car, pointed a gun at the officers and fired, police said. 

The bullet struck Diller in the stomach, just beneath his bullet-proof vest. Diller's partner returned fire, wounding Rivera, who was taken to a hospital. 

Meanwhile, Lindy Jones, the driver behind the wheel when Diller was shot and killed, was arraigned on an indictment last month charging him with criminal possession of a weapon.

According to authorities, a search warrant revealed there was a 9 mm pistol in the car’s glove compartment, which was in addition to the weapon used to shoot Diller.

The 41-year-old was arraigned on an indictment charging him with two counts each of criminal possession of a weapon. He was remanded in custody and ordered to return to court on June 12.

He was remanded into custody and faces up to 30 years in prison. He is due back in court on June 12.

Diller's murder marked the first slaying of an NYPD officer in two years.

Jonathan Diller GoFundMe 

A GoFundMe organized to support Diller's family has since raised over $1 million.

Crime and Public SafetyQueensNYPD