Family of Slain NYPD Officer Thanks Gunman’s Family for Sympathies
Family of Slain NYPD Officer Thanks Gunman’s Family for Sympathies
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A view of the memorial for slain NYPD officers, Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, on Tompkins Ave. and Myrtle Ave. where two officers were murdered, in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Dec. 22, 2014.Bilgin Sasmaz—Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
The family of one of two NYPD officers who were fatally shot in an ambush Saturday accepted condolences from the gunman’s family on Tuesday and absolved them of blame.
“I need people to stop the crap, get it together,” Rafael Ramos’ sister, Sindy, said Tuesday at a memorial. “We’re supposed to be family. We’re not supposed to be enemies.” Ronnie Gonzalez, a cousin of Ramos, said “I hope I can meet with [the gunman’s family] in some way and grieve together.” He then added, “I’d like to meet them and say, ‘Thank you for feeling sorry for us.'”
The man who police identified as the gunman, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, fled after the shooting and turned his weapon on himself in a nearby subway station.
Ramos’ family members said they are frustrated by the divisions between the public and police but that they don’t fault Mayor Bill de Blasio for the deaths of their loved one and officer Wenjian Liu, who was shot alongside Ramos, the New York Daily Newsreported.
Witness the Aftermath of Police Shooting in Brooklyn
The skyline of Manhattan is seen in the background as investigators work at the scene where two NYPD officers were shot in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on Dec. 20, 2014 John Minchillo—APPolice are pictured at the scene of a shooting where two New York Police officers were shot dead in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on Dec. 20, 2014. Carlo Allegri—ReutersPolice are pictured at the scene of a shooting where two New York Police officers were shot dead in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on Dec. 20, 2014. John Taggart—EPAA police officer wipes tears away from his face as he walks away from the scene of a shooting where two New York Police officers were shot dead in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on Dec. 20, 2014. Carlo Allegri—ReutersPolice pay their respect outside Woodhull Hospital as two Police ambulances carrying the bodies of two murdered officers head to Bellevue Hospital in New York City, Dec. 20, 2014. Paul Martinka—PolarisA man leaves flowers at an impromptu memorial near the site where two police officers were killed the day before in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on Dec. 21, 2014. Seth Wenig—APNew York City police officer Darren Cox, right, accompanied by fellow officers, leaves flowers at a memorial in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on Dec. 21, 2014.Mark Lennihan—APDonna Salvaggio (L) and a woman who gave her name as Reverend Jordan hug at a makeshift memorial at the site where two police officers were shot in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Dec. 21, 2014. Carlo Allegri—ReutersA man takes part in a prayer vigil at the site where two police officers were fatally shot in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Dec. 21, 2014. Carlo Allegri—ReutersMourners take part in a prayer vigil at the site where two police officers were fatally shot in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Dec. 21, 2014. Stephanie Keith—ReutersNew York Police Department officers Mark Cava, left, and Jason Muller participate in a moment of silence for two slain NYPD officers before an NBA basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Detroit Pistons in New York City on Dec. 21, 2014.Jason DeCrow—APNew York Police Department officer Jason Muller salutes during the national anthem after participating in a moment of silence for two slain NYPD officers before an NBA basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Detroit Pistons in New York City on Dec. 21, 2014.Jason DeCrow—APA woman recites from a Bible while standing over a makeshift memorial during a prayer vigil at the site where two New York Police Department (NYPD) officers were fatally shot in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Dec. 21, 2014. Stephanie Keith—ReutersMourners take part in a prayer vigil at the site where two police officers were fatally shot in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Dec. 21, 2014. Stephen Shames—Polaris
Liu’s family has also spoken out. His widow, Pei Xia Chen, called for the public to unite in the face of the tragedy: “This is a difficult time for both of our families,” she said in an emotional news conference. “But we will stand together and we will get through this together.”
