Man Dies After Undercover Police Officer Throws Cooler at Him During Drug Bust in the Bronx
New York City – A man who was attempting to flee a drug bust on a scooter in the Bronx has died after an undercover police officer threw a cooler at him. The suspect, identified as Eric Duprey, crashed to the ground just after 5.20pm on Wednesday. The officer involved in the incident, NYPD Sergeant Erik Duran, has been suspended while authorities investigate his role in the fatal incident.
Sergeant Duran was working undercover for the Bronx Narcotics Division at the time of the incident. He was conducting a buy-and-bust operation on Aqueduct Avenue when Duprey allegedly sold drugs to the plain-clothed officer. When the officer tried to arrest him, Duprey quickly fled the scene. In an attempt to stop the suspect, Sergeant Duran threw a cooler at him, which he had taken from a bystander.
The impact of the cooler caused Duprey to lose control of his scooter and collide with a parked Jeep. He fell to the ground and was pronounced dead at the scene. Sergeant Duran was suspended without pay early on Thursday morning pending the outcome of the investigation.
CCTV footage captured the moment the cooler hit Duprey on the Bronx street. The red cooler, filled with soda cans, was obtained from a nearby bystander. The New York City Police Department released a statement saying that the city’s medical examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation is being led by the New York State Attorney General’s Office with assistance from the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division.
Witnesses of the incident described a family party happening nearby, with children witnessing the events. They expressed shock and disbelief at what they saw. The family of the deceased, including his wife Orlyanis Velez and sister Erika Duprey Soto, expressed their grief and questioned the actions of the police. They wondered why the officer didn’t use authorized equipment, such as a Taser, instead of throwing a cooler.
Records show that Sergeant Duran has faced 17 accusations of wrongdoing throughout his career, with only one substantiated for an unnecessary stop. He joined the force in 2010 and has made 197 arrests during his tenure. The use of force in this incident was deemed inconsistent with department guidelines, and Duran has been criticized by his colleagues.
The NYPD emphasizes its commitment to a full, thorough, and transparent investigation into the incident to determine the facts and take appropriate action.