NYPD Sergeant Erik Duran’s Reckless Move

A New York City Police Department sergeant is facing up to 15 years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter for throwing a plastic cooler at a scooter-riding suspect. Sgt. Erik Duran’s actions led to the death of Eric Duprey, who was fleeing a drug bust in the Bronx.

A Deadly Mistake

Surveillance video shows Duran picking up a red object – the cooler – and throwing it at Duprey’s head from close range. Duprey then loses control, crashes into a tree, and is pronounced dead minutes later. It’s a shocking case that raises questions about police use of force.

Duran claimed he threw the cooler to protect fellow officers, but the judge didn’t buy it. ‘I thought he was going to kill my guys,’ Duran said during the trial. The judge ruled that Duran wasn’t justified in using deadly force, and now he’s facing serious time.

Reaction to the Verdict

The verdict has sparked outrage from the police union, with the Sergeants Benevolent Association calling it a ‘miscarriage of justice.’ But Duprey’s family and friends are relieved that justice has been served. ‘I never lost faith,’ said Duprey’s partner, Pearl Velez. ‘I always knew that justice is going to happen.’ It’s a tragic case that highlights the need for police accountability.