July 14, 2007
Officer Russel Timoshenko, the young police officer shot Monday during a traffic shot in Brooklyn, has died.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Saturday evening that Timoshenko passed at the Kings County Hospital surrounded by family and members of the 71st Precinct.
"He made the ultimate sacrifice with unflinching sacrifice to do it; we are more committed than ever to the prosecution of the individuals responsible for his death,” said Kelly.
Kelly said Timoshenko passed away on his own; he had been paralyzed, suffered brain swelling, and was unable to breathe on his own since the shooting.
Upon hearing the news of Timoshenko's death, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has been out of town all week, will return to the city.
"While I can't know the anguish they are going through, I want Russel's parents, Leonid and Tatyana, to know their son was a hero," said Bloomberg in a statement. "It does not provide any consolation, but I am proud of the investigators who worked so swiftly to apprehend those that committed this detestable and cowardly act. Despite the best efforts of the team of medical professionals at Kings County Medical Center, Russel has now left this world and is in the hands of God. May he rest in peace."
Timoshenko, 23, and his partner Herman Yan pulled over a BMW SUV early Monday morning under the suspicion that it was stolen. Prosecutors say Dexter Bostic, 34, shot Timoshenko in the face while Robert Ellis, 34, shot Yan in the chest and the arm.
Yan, who was saved by his police vest, was released earlier this week from the hospital.
Prosecutors believe a third suspect, 29-year-old Lee Woods, was driving the SUV at the time of the shooting.
Three guns were found at the scene. Police say the one allegedly used by Bostic had also been used in a recent drive-by shooting in Queens.
Ellis and Bostic were arraigned on several charges including attempted murder, assault on a police officer, and weapons possession Friday. Neither suspect entered a plea; however, Ellis' attorney claimed that his client did not fire any shots. His attorney also said that Ellis was the driver and Bostic was in the passenger seat.
Both were extradited Thursday from Pennsylvania, where they had been captured after a four-day manhunt that stretched from Brooklyn to the Poconos.
Woods was charged Wednesday.
Kelly said the prosecution is already filing paperwork to increase the charges in response to Timoshenko's death.
All three suspects were ordered to be held without bail.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Rest in Peace Russel
The bastards who gunned him down should receive the death penalty so they can burn in hell!!!
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by GothamSpotter
Bookmarks