Sources: NYPD assistant chief placed on modified duty after accidental shooting in Rockland County
The incident unfolded during a fight between two men on the property of the Garnerville ShopRite on Sunday night.
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Police sources say Assistant Chief Benjamin Gurley has been placed on modified duty after a firearm discharged during a physical altercation Sunday night in the parking lot of a ShopRite supermarket in Garnerville.
Gurley, who oversees the newly formed Bronx Patrol Borough North, was involved in a fight with another man shortly before 9 p.m. outside the store, located in the Town of Haverstraw. Responding officers found both men with minor injuries. They were transported to a hospital and later released.
Investigators say the confrontation escalated into a struggle during which Gurley’s legally owned handgun was pulled from his waistband. The weapon discharged a single round, which did not strike either man or any bystanders.
Authorities say the dispute may have begun after the other man allegedly harassed Gurley’s daughter.
The Haverstraw Police Department is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. The NYPD confirmed that its Force Investigation Division and Internal Affairs Bureau are also reviewing the incident.
As standard procedure, Gurley has had his gun, shield, and police powers removed pending the outcome of the investigation. No criminal charges have been filed.
Gurley joined the NYPD in 2000, beginning his career in the Bronx’s 41st Precinct. He was promoted to assistant chief in 2023 and was appointed last week to lead the Bronx Patrol Borough North.
