An off-duty NYPD officer, who was shot in the head while trying to buy a car three days ago, has died.
Adeed Fayaz, 26, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday. The five-year police veteran was gunned down Saturday night when a man lured him into a dark driveway after arranging to meet to sell a car through Facebook Marketplace.
The suspect, 38-year-old Randy Jones, was arrested using Fayaz’ handcuffs on Monday after being found hiding out in a hotel in upstate New York.
Jones, a career criminal with at least 22 arrests to his name, was previously charged with attempted murder. With Fayaz’s death, those charges are likely to be upgraded to murder.
Fayaz left behind a wife a two children. Flags were seen flying half-mast at the 66th Precinct in Brooklyn after his death was announced.
Adeed Fayaz, 26, succumbed to his injuries after a three-day battle for his life in the hospital
Randy Jones, 38, was arrested while at a hotel in Rockland County, northwest of Manhattan
The NYPD posted a heartfelt dedication to Fayaz while announcing his death Tuesday.
‘It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of NYPD Police Officer Adeed Fayaz, a devoted public servant, husband, father, brother, and son,’ the department wrote on its Facebook page. ‘A five-year veteran of the NYPD, PO Fayaz served the 66 Precinct community with exceptional compassion and care. Our thoughts are with his family, colleagues, and loved ones at this difficult time. #neverforget’
A friend at the hospital described Fayaz as a ‘great person, great father,’ according to the NY Daily News. ‘He liked to play around with [his kids] and take them out. Very good father. It’s devastating to imagine his kids growing up without a father.’
An officer who graduated from the Police Academy alongside Fayaz said ‘he’s a great person.’
‘No one has one bad thing to say about him,’ they said.
‘When it hits home, everyone comes together,’ said another police officer who visited the hospital. ‘It’s always the innocent.’
Former NYPD officer Ahmen Nasser, 57, had strong words for Fayaz’s killer.
‘I hope you rot in hell,’ he said. ‘What can you say about a police officer? It’s someone who dedicated their life to serve and protect. And he’s family man. A good man. He will be dearly missed.’
Fayaz left behind a wife a two children. Flags were seen flying half-mast at the 66th Precinct in Brooklyn after his death was announced
Officers stood lined up outside the hospital in solidarity for Fayaz after his death
Officers lined up outside the hospital where Fayaz died from his injuries Tuesday
Jones allegedly arranged to meet Fayaz in East New York to sell a Honda Pilot.
Fayaz and his brother-in-law arrived with $24,000 in cash to buy the car when the suspect allegedly drew a gun on them.
He then allegedly opened fire – almost instantly after pulling out the gun – and struck Fayaz in the head.
The victim’s brother grabbed the Fayaz’s gun and fired back, but the thief managed to escape in a black BMW.
After a city-wide manhunt, the car was located abandoned in Harlem, near where the suspect lived with his girlfriend, according to The New York Post.
Sources also said the BMW belonged to the suspect’s mother, who lived near where the shooting took place in East New York.
It is believed Jones could be behind a similar robbery which took place near the shooting scene on January 13.
The handcuffs belonging to the 26-year-old NYPD victim were used to arrest Jones
Jones shackled with the handcuffs belonging to the NYPD officer he allegedly shot in the head
On Monday Jones was found holed up with his girlfriend and her two kids at a hotel in Rockland County, just northwest of Manhattan on the New Jersey border.
The handcuffs used to arrest Jones reportedly belonged to Fayaz.
Jones has a rap sheet with at least 22 arrests on it for a variety of crimes, including some violent attacks.
He has previously been booked for harassment, grand larceny, and strangulation, according to The Post.
He was wanted for a traffic and vehicle related warrant from 2019 at the time of his arrest on Monday.
Jones has reportedly declined to answer questions from investigators.
‘Our prayers, of course, are to the officer and his family as he continues to fight for his life,’ said Mayor Eric Adams’ faith advisor, Gilford Monrose, at a vigil Sunday.
The NYPD was offering a $10,000 for the suspect’s arrest as of Monday.
‘We will catch the person responsible for this act,’ Adams said after the shooting. ‘An officer conducting a simple errand and a dangerous person pulled out a firearm.
