Questions swirl around fatal shooting of off-duty cop

More information has been released about the fatal shooting of an off-duty Mount Vernon police officer by Westchester County police, but questions continue to swirl around the incident. Mount Vernon

News 12 Staff

May 28, 2014, 6:58 PM

Updated 3,627 days ago

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Questions swirl around fatal shooting of off-duty cop
More information has been released about the fatal shooting of an off-duty Mount Vernon police officer by Westchester County police, but questions continue to swirl around the incident.
Mount Vernon Police Officer Christopher Ridley, 23, was killed by officers from Westchester County early Friday evening during a confused confrontation on Court Street outside a county government complex in White Plains. Officials say Ridley, who was off duty, was trying to intervene in a violent aggravated assault between two men. Witnesses say Ridley was aiming a gun at another man and would not put his weapon away and that's why a county officer opened fire.
Reverend Al Sharpton came to White Plains Saturday searching for answers and demanding a complete investigation into the shooting death of Ridley. It appears at this point, Sharpton is not bringing up the issue of race in this case since the deceased cop and the one who shot him are both black. Sharpton urged people not to rush to judgment about the shooting.
Meanwhile, at a press conference it was announced that the White Plains Police Department in conjunction with the Westchester District Attorney?s Office will be in charge of the investigation since it involves county cops. Mount Vernon Police Commissioner David Chong says he has the ?utmost confidence that there will be a thorough and non-biased investigation.?
Chong says Ridley was an officer with unlimited potential. He says Ridley?s fellow officers remember him as quiet with a kind soul. Chong says crisis counselors are helping Mount Vernon police. He also says the department and clergy are assisting Ridley?s family. Click here for the full press conference on the fatal shooting. Click here for reaction from Ridley?s friends at Grace Baptist Church.


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