Jury Acquits Man of Top Murder Charge in Killing of NYPD Officer

Guy Rivera convicted on lesser counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, and weapons charges

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:04am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car window or damaged police equipment, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty, investigative nature of this crime story.The acquittal on the top murder charge in the killing of an NYPD officer exposes the challenges police face in New York City, where defense strategies often attack law enforcement credibility over the actions of the accused.NYC Today

A Queens jury acquitted Guy Rivera of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, rejecting the prosecution's top charge and instead convicting the 36-year-old on lesser counts including aggravated manslaughter, attempted murder of Diller's partner, and weapons charges. Rivera faces up to 90 years in prison across all four counts.

Why it matters

The case highlights the challenges police officers face in New York City, where defense strategies often focus on attacking the credibility of law enforcement rather than the actions of the accused. The verdict is expected to further erode public trust and recruitment for the NYPD.

The details

Rivera was a passenger in a parked Kia Soul when he got into a confrontation with Officer Diller outside a cell-phone store in Far Rockaway on March 25, 2024. Diller was shot and killed, while Rivera was wounded by another officer at the scene. The defense argued Rivera didn't intend to kill Diller, claiming the gun went off accidentally during a struggle. Nearly 30 witnesses testified over the course of the trial.

  • On March 25, 2024, Officer Diller was fatally shot outside a cell-phone store in Far Rockaway.
  • On Wednesday night, the Queens jury reached its verdict.

The players

Guy Rivera

A 36-year-old man with 21 prior arrests who was convicted on lesser charges including aggravated manslaughter, attempted murder, and weapons charges in the shooting death of Officer Diller.

Officer Jonathan Diller

A married NYPD officer who was fatally shot during the confrontation with Rivera.

Stephanie Diller

The widow of Officer Diller, who sat through the trial and left the room when bodycam footage of her husband's final moments was shown.

Officer Veckash Khedna

The NYPD officer who shot and wounded Rivera at the scene and provided tearful testimony about Diller's last moments.

Jessica Tisch

The NYPD Police Commissioner, who expressed disappointment that Rivera was not convicted of the top murder charge.

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What they’re saying

“While I am deeply disappointed that Jonathan's killer was not convicted of the top murder charge, I am grateful that he has been convicted on all other counts. My hope is that the ultimate sentence in this case will reflect the gravity of his actions, and the profound loss he caused for Stephanie, Ryan, the Diller family, the NYPD, and the entire City of New York.”

— Jessica Tisch, NYPD Police Commissioner

“I left the family that has had to deal with this nightmare for the last 2 years. And today they got the news, they are still devastated. This decision at least gives Jonathan and his family some justice. But it doesn't give them full closure. The pain will never go away.”

— Patrick Hendry, President, NYPD Police Benevolent Association

What’s next

Rivera's sentencing will determine whether the remaining convictions carry real weight or dissolve into the kind of plea-bargained leniency that New York's criminal justice system has made routine.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges police officers face in New York City, where defense strategies often focus on attacking the credibility of law enforcement rather than the actions of the accused. The verdict is expected to further erode public trust and recruitment for the NYPD, raising questions about the long-term impact on public safety.