Officers have cuffed the suspect wanted for critically injuring an off-duty NYPD lieutenant during a Queens shootout on Dec. 16.
Nineteen-year-old Cristian Cruz was escorted out of the 108th Precinct in Long Island City Saturday morning to meet his fate at the hands of a judge, according to police sources.
The teen was arrested Friday after his alleged involvement in a deadly gunfight at Northern Boulevard and 57th Street in Woodside that left one officer seriously injured and another suspect dead; both had been taken to Elmhurst Hospital.
Police believe the incident occurred when three men in ski masks attempted to rob the off-duty lieutenant as he left a nightclub, ending with a firefight.
Appearing sullen with his eyes locked on his shoes, the Bronx native was strapped into the rear of an unmarked squad car, which will whisk him to court to face a slew of charges such as, attempted murder, robbery, assault, criminal possession of a deadly weapon, grand larceny, and more. Cruz has a criminal history of 12 prior arrests.
Police are still searching for a second suspect.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, and anyone with information about the shootout can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
