NYPD cop who shot unarmed ex-con Allan Feliz will keep job: commissioner

An NYPD officer who fatally shot an unarmed ex-convict during a traffic stop in the Bronx in 2019 has been cleared of any wrongdoing by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, according to sources. The officer in question, Lt. Jonathan Rivera, was found to be justified in his actions as he was deemed to be protecting the life of his fellow officer, Edward Barrett.

The decision to clear Lt. Rivera was made after a thorough review of the incident, including an analysis conducted by the State Attorney General’s office. The AG’s report stated that Rivera’s belief that Officer Barrett was in grave danger and his life was at risk justified his use of lethal force.

The incident occurred in October 2019 when Allan Feliz, a 31-year-old father, was pulled over by Lt. Rivera, Officer Barrett, and Officer Michelle Almanzar for a routine traffic stop. The situation escalated when Barrett discovered that Feliz had an open warrant and asked him to step out of the vehicle.

A struggle ensued, captured on bodycam footage, as Feliz attempted to get back into the car, prompting the officers to use a stun gun and try to pull him out. Rivera can be heard in the video warning Feliz that he would shoot him if he did not comply. Ultimately, Rivera fired a single shot, killing Feliz.

Following Feliz’s death, his family filed a $350 million potential class action lawsuit against the city and the NYPD, alleging racial profiling and excessive use of force. The lawsuit claims that Feliz was not attempting to drive away but that the car shifted forward when he re-entered it.

Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, the Lieutenant’s Benevolent Association praised Commissioner Tisch for standing by officers who act in good faith in the performance of their duties. The union president, Lou Turco, commended Tisch for her decision to support officers facing potential political risks.

The tragic events of that day have left Feliz’s family devastated, with his sister, Ashley Verdeja, expressing the pain and trauma of reliving the incident through departmental hearings. She criticized Lt. Rivera for continuing to carry a weapon after the shooting, calling it a “slap in the face” to her family.

Overall, the decision to clear Lt. Rivera of any wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of Allan Feliz has sparked controversy and legal action, highlighting the complex and often contentious nature of police-civilian interactions.