Shooting in Queens Leads To Injury Of Officer, Civilian

An NYPD Officer and a civilian were injured in a shooting allegedly involving the now deceased suspect, Gary Worthy.

At a Glance

An NYPD officer and a woman were shot in Queens by an armed robbery suspect.
The suspect, Gary Worthy, was believed responsible for multiple robberies in an hour.
Officer Rich Wong returned fire and fatally shot Worthy during a confrontation.
Worthy reportedly had a long criminal history and was on lifetime parole.

Unfolding of Events

A robbery spree turned violent in Queens when Gary Worthy, 57, allegedly came into confrontation with NYPD officers. The suspect reportedly conducted multiple robberies in quick succession. A deli on Hillside Avenue and a smoke shop were robbed, and gunshots were fired during both incidents as Worthy fled. Worthy, a known career criminal, had reportedly been involved in several prior armed incidents.

Later, police located Worthy around 6:30 p.m. in Queens. Despite orders to drop his weapon, he allegedly opened fire, injuring Officer Rich Wong. In response, Wong returned fire and critically wounded Worthy, who was later pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital.

Aftermath and Reactions

Officer Wong, a veteran with seven years in the NYPD, sustained a leg injury. However, his injuries are not life-threatening, and he is expected to make a full recovery. A 26-year-old civilian woman was also injured in the leg, with forensic investigations underway to clarify the source of her injury.

Mayor Eric Adams condemned Worthy’s actions, labeling him as a “reckless perpetrator.” Mayor Adams also iterated concerns regarding the criminal justice system, referencing Worthy’s extensive criminal past and its implications on public safety. Worthy had prior arrests, including for murder, robbery, and narcotics, highlighting systemic failings in preventing repeat offenses.

The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Gary Worthy, of Queens, has 17 prior arrests, including murder, robbery, burglary and narcotics possession. https://t.co/QLVrwmH5pl

— FOX 5 NY (@fox5ny) November 20, 2024

Background on Gary Worthy

Gary Worthy’s track record includes over 17 felony arrests since the 1980s. Despite serving more than 14 years in prison for drug, weapon possession, and burglary charges, Worthy reportedly continued his criminal activities following his release in 2021. He accumulated seven additional arrests for drug possession, burglary, and assault, with several pending cases at his time of death.

Worthy’s prior convictions paint a grim picture, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing career criminals. His lifetime parole status at the time of this incident raises questions on parole board decisions and their ramifications on public safety.