A 24-year-old man has been convicted of attempted murder and several other crimes in connection to the shooting of a rookie police officer during a violent altercation in Jamaica, Queens, in April 2023.
Devin Spraggins was found guilty on multiple charges, including first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, aggravated assault on a police officer, assault of a police officer, and several weapons-related offenses. He faces up to 40 years to life in prison for the attempted murder charge, with his sentencing scheduled for December 2.
The conviction stems from an incident on April 5, 2023, around 3:20 p.m. Spraggins was on an MTA bus on Jamaica Avenue when he punched a passenger, leading the bus driver to stop and alert Officer Anthony Rock and his partner Officer Brett Roller. The officers attempted to speak with Spraggins, but he shoved Officer Roller and fled the scene, with the officers in pursuit.
Spraggins turned around and shot Officer Roller, hitting him in the upper thigh and severing his femoral artery. The officer suffered critical injuries, including a shattered hip, but survived thanks to swift medical intervention. Spraggins then attempted to fire again but his gun malfunctioned after he dropped the magazine while fleeing. He aimed the gun at Officer Rock before fleeing into a nearby parking garage. Security footage showed him removing his jacket and sweatshirt before leaving the scene in a white T-shirt.
Investigators later recovered evidence, including a shell casing and a magazine with ammunition, near the shooting site. Spraggins was tracked through surveillance footage and found at a Bronx residence after his attempt to flee in a Lyft vehicle.
Spraggins had no prior criminal record and was a transient, with some reported connections to the Poughkeepsie area. He was apprehended after authorities offered a reward for information leading to his capture, which was later doubled to $20,000.
Officer Boller, who was 22 at the time, underwent surgery and is recovering. Officer Rock, also 22, was unharmed during the attack.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz condemned Spraggins’ actions, saying, “Devin Spraggins attempted to assassinate a New York City police officer in cold blood… it is only because of extraordinary medical intervention that Officer Boller is alive today.”
