Donald Boalick's son was recently involved in a shooting in Brooklyn's Crown Heights. His son was shot with a 9-mm handgun but managed to survive. Hours after coming home from the hospital, Boalick is relieved to tell reporters that his son is feeling good-which is all that matters for their family.
Mayor de Blasio visited the Boalick family at King's County Hospital. He says the look of relief on Donald and his wife's faces is unforgettable. "That their son is alive and well feels like a Christmas miracle to them," Brooklyn's mayor said.
Donald said he worried for his son's safety on several occasions since he joined the NYC police 2 ½ years before. But, the nightmare encounter that happened made him worry the most. He also commended his son's comrades saying, "They are all heroes."
Bill Wilson, 74, also praised his neighbor. "I know Connor since the day he was born. He is a good kid who always does the right thing.
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The Shooting Incident that Almost Took Two Lives
27-year-old police officer Connor Boalick and his partner responded to a 911 call, NY Daily News reported. The person on the other line was the mother of Moss' girlfriend. She feared Moss would come and shoot their place up.
Upon arriving at the scene, Moss was yet to arrive. So, Boalick talked to Moss' girlfriend about filing charges on domestic violence. Just then, Moss came and opened fire.
It was around 9 p.m. and in the darkness, Moss pointed to where his girlfriend's voice was. In a call made to Moss' grandmother, he said that he shot his girlfriend. But, he did not know then that it was police officer Boalick whom he shot.
Bulletproof Vest Saved Police Officer
Boalick was shot in the back as he was talking to Moss' girlfriend at the time. But, Boalick was wearing a bulletproof vest. Police Commissioner Dermot Shea showed reporters the vest, which had a hole in the center at the back part, Stripes reported.
Shea revealed that two police offers came for back up. Right after Boalick was shot, the two police offers fired at least seven shots, but Moss was not hit. He made a run for it but was caught by the police, who chased him for almost two blocks. "They had to warn him at least 10 times before he dropped his gun," the police commissioner said. Speaking of Boalick, Shea said the officer was still in a bit of pain, "but in extremely good spirits."
Justice is Served
20-year-old Moss was charged with four counts of attempted murder. Judge Jean T. Walsh ordered Moss be held without bail in a virtual hearing. Assistant District Attorney Jordan Rossman revealed the incident was Moss' first arrest. But, he had to face a serious offense under the penal law.
However, Moss' grandmother Mary Moss claims her grandson has a problem with drugs, mental health illness, and on top of that, a tumultuous relationship. She recalls her grandson had recently called the police to report that his girlfriend had repeatedly called him demanding him money he allegedly owed her.
Mary said her grandson's girlfriend spent the night at the Moss' apartment just a day before the shooting. But as friction intensified, she banned the girlfriend from coming over.
