The New York City Police Department is requesting prayers following the tragic death of Officer Miosotis Familia, who officials say was murdered Wednesday in an “unprovoked attack on cops.”
The @NYPD46Pct officer was shot in the Bronx while protecting NYC.
Please join us in praying for her. pic.twitter.com/LjRw7w0GsJ— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) July 5, 2017
#NYPD PO Miosotis Familia has been assassinated in an unprovoked attack on cops assigned to keep NYers safe. Keep her family in your prayers pic.twitter.com/yhRB7H5bvi
— Edward A. Caban (@NYPDPC) July 5, 2017
We mourn the death of #NYPD PO Miosotis Familia. She was shot & killed in the line of duty. Please keep her & her family in your prayers. https://t.co/vFENHjndMu
— NYPDCounterterrorism (@NYPDCT) July 5, 2017
Familia, 48, was stationed in a mobile command post in the Bronx early Wednesday morning when an armed assailant fired at the officer through her vehicle’s passenger side window, striking her in the head, WNBC-TV reported.
The suspect, whom authorities have identified as 34-year-old Alexander Bonds, was killed following an altercation with NYPD officers later Wednesday morning. Police recovered a silver revolver from the scene.
In the meantime, Familia was taken to a nearby hospital in extremely critical condition. Hours after the shooting, the 12-year veteran died of her wounds.
“Based off what we know right now, it’s clear this was an unprovoked attack on a police officer who are assigned to keep the people of this great city safe,” NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said Wednesday.
.@NYPDONeill along with @NYCMayor providing information on the officer shot. All information is preliminary and subject to change. pic.twitter.com/ojfweqSsX6
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) July 5, 2017
Officials say Bonds was seen in surveillance footage marching up to Familia’s post “with purpose” before firing at the officer. At this time, police are unaware of any connection between Familia and the suspect.
Alexander Bonds was shot and killed a block from where he shot NYPD officer Miotosis Familia, who died in hospital pic.twitter.com/KsMAVI0WQf
— Aaron Katersky (@AaronKatersky) July 5, 2017
Bonds, who went by the names Alexander and John, had an extensive criminal record. At the time of the shooting, the 34-year-old Bronx man was on parole for a robbery case in Syracuse, WNBC reported.
In a tweet posted Wednesday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Familia died “serving this city, doing the job she loved.”
Officer Miosotis Familia was on duty serving this city, doing the job she loved. I ask all New Yorkers to keep her family in your prayers. https://t.co/IZ5OzLpspK
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) July 5, 2017
A large crowd of NYPD officers gathered outside of the hospital where Familia was treated Wednesday. Officers gathered near the ambulance entrance to salute their fallen colleague before her body was transported to Bellevue Hospital.
#NYPD officer Miosotis Familia's remains transported to Bellevue Hospital in a procession. @NYPD46Pct shot in head in unprovoked attack pic.twitter.com/onIa5OzyQ9
— Michael Herzenberg (@MHerzenberg) July 5, 2017
Patrick J. Lynch, president of the NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association said in a statement Wednesday that Familia “gave her life protecting a neighborhood that had been plagued by gang gun violence.”
Lynch on assassination of P.O. Miosotis Familia: "Violence against police officer cannot stand." https://t.co/8dQzzGesKP pic.twitter.com/W8IPwem5cb
— NYC PBA (@NYCPBA) July 5, 2017
“Fully knowing the dangers that she faced, she suited up in a uniform every day and stood tall against those who threaten and terrorize the good folks of the Bronx.”
WNBC reported that Familia, who began her policing career later than most, leaves behind three children.