Robber With Fake Gun Sentenced For Accidental Cop Death

NEW YORK, NY — A Crown Heights man was sentenced to 33 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges related to a cell phone store holdup that resulted in the friendly-fire death of an NYPD detective. He was also sentenced to five years post-release supervision.

Christopher Ransom, 30, pleaded guilty in October to aggravated manslaughter and robbery for the February 2019 holdup of a T-Mobile store in Richmond Hill, Queens, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Ransom also pleaded to another cell phone store robbery that month, according to the DA.

According to court records, Ransom and an accomplice, Jagger Freeman, ordered employees of the store to surrender cash and merchandise while brandishing a fake pistol. When six police officers arrived, Ransom pointed the fake pistol at them.

The officers fired 42 rounds at the scene within 11 seconds, investigators said. One of the bullets hit and killed 42-year-old NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen. Another officer, Sgt. Matthew Gorman, was injured. Ransom was shot eight times but survived,

The Kew Gardens courthouse Wednesday was packed with officers who turned out to support the Simonsen family and his widow, several outlets report.

"We had so many plans, so much living to do together," Simonsen’s wife Leanne said in a victim statement. "You robbed us of this. You took my joy. You took my life right along with his that night."

“Because of your bad choices on that horrific night, I lost my world, my rock,” Simonsen’s mother Linda said.

Ransom apologized to Simonsen’s family for his actions during his sentencing, ABC7 News reported. “I'm sorry you did not have more time with your husband because of my actions," he said. "I never met the man, but from what I heard, the city has lost a true hero."

“My hope is that the family of Detective Brian Simonsen may finally have some closure with the sentencing of this defendant. His lawless, selfish behavior set the terrible events of that day in motion,” District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.

“He committed one of several robberies and terrified the employees of that cell phone store before drawing the fire of police. The heartbreaking result was the loss Detective Simonsen and the injury of Sergeant Matthew Gorman.”

The Legal Aid Society, which represented Ransom, released a statement saying that Ransom “takes full responsibility for his actions.” The statement also said that the NYPD should reexamine the procedures that led officers to open fire and kill one of their own.

“The police fired 42 shots in 11 seconds that night, shooting Mr. Ransom eight times. He will carry physical scars and emotional trauma from this event for the rest of his life,” the organization said in a statement. “Despite this, Mr. Ransom is committed towards seeking rehabilitation and redemption. We hope that the NYPD also takes this opportunity to reexamine their own procedures and training so that a tragedy like this never happens again."