(AmericanProsperity.com) – A violent career criminal with a shocking 17 previous arrests was finally taken off the streets of New York City but not before shooting a heroic NYPD officer and an innocent bystander.
The dramatic shootout in Queens exposed the complete failure of New York’s criminal justice system that protects dangerous repeat offenders instead of law-abiding citizens.
The chaos exploded when 57-year-old Gary Worthy went on a violent crime spree across Queens.
Worthy first robbed a deli at gunpoint on Hillside Avenue, firing off a shot before fleeing the scene. Within the hour, he robbed a smoke shop and fired another shot.
As police closed in on him, Worthy opened fire on officers and shot 7-year NYPD veteran Officer Rich Wong in the thigh.
Despite being wounded, Officer Wong heroically returned fire and struck Worthy in the face. A 26-year-old female bystander was also shot in the leg during the chaotic gun battle.
Officer Wong and the injured bystander were rushed to the hospital and are expected to recover, while Worthy was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital.
Mayor Eric Adams issued a statement:
“We have witnessed in two days a criminal justice system that is failing New Yorkers and the good people of this city. We are angry that a violent, repeated offender, who has prior gun arrests, who pled guilty to manslaughter and who was arrested for seven crimes since 2001 alone was free to commit two robberies tonight.”
Adams also condemned the broken system that allowed this “reckless perpetrator” to remain on the streets.
Worthy had an extensive rap sheet including 17 previous arrests for serious violent crimes.
Shockingly, he had been arrested just 6 days earlier for drug possession and resisting arrest but was quickly released back onto the streets.
Even more appalling, Worthy was on “lifetime parole” at the time of the shooting – a status that clearly did nothing to stop him from committing crimes. He was also wanted for three other armed robberies where shots were fired.
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