In the early hours of Saturday, May 24, 2025, a 27-year-old off-duty NYPD officer walked along St. Peters Avenue in the Westchester Square neighborhood of the Bronx, heading home after a late shift. Wearing a civilian jacket over his uniform, he was unaware that two assailants were about to ambush him in a brutal attack that would leave him unconscious, battered, and robbed of his wallet, phone, and service weapon. The vicious assault, captured on chilling surveillance footage, showed the attackers knocking the officer to the ground, holding a knife to his throat, and delivering a relentless beating that left a shoe imprint on his face and a broken orbital bone. The officer, now recovering in a hospital, faces a long road to healing, both physically and emotionally, as the city rallies to bring his attackers to justice.
The New York Police Department has made significant strides in the case, identifying and apprehending one suspect while intensifying the manhunt for another. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Taveon Hargrove, a 23-year-old suspect, was arrested in North Chesterfield, Virginia, by the U.S. Marshals’ Regional Fugitive Task Force, assisted by NYPD detectives. In a symbolic gesture, authorities used the injured officer’s own handcuffs to take Hargrove into custody, a move highlighted by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch in a statement on social media: “One under, one to go.” Hargrove now awaits extradition to New York, where he faces serious charges, including attempted murder, assault, and robbery. The swift apprehension of Hargrove underscores the NYPD’s determination to hold accountable those who target its officers.
On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, police identified the second suspect as 23-year-old Wayne Lucas, releasing his photo to the public in a plea for assistance in locating him. The NYPD has urged anyone with information about Lucas’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, assuring callers that all tips will remain confidential. The attack, which occurred around 4:15 a.m. near the intersection of St. Peters and Tratman Avenues, was described by law enforcement as part of a disturbing trend of violence against police officers in New York City. Commissioner Tisch noted that in the past month alone, officers have faced heinous assaults, including one with a finger partially bitten off and another with an ear partially severed.
Adding another layer to the investigation, Taveon Hargrove’s father, 55-year-old Jeffrey Hargrove, was arrested on Sunday, May 25, 2025, for allegedly using the officer’s stolen credit card at several Bronx bodegas. Charged with petty larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, Jeffrey Hargrove was arraigned in Bronx Criminal Court and released without bail. Authorities have clarified that he was not involved in the physical assault on the officer but became entangled in the case through his alleged use of the stolen card.
The surveillance video, which has circulated widely, paints a harrowing picture of the attack. It shows the two suspects, dressed in dark clothing, overpowering the officer, pinning him to the ground, and rifling through his pockets. One assailant is seen delivering a brutal kick to the officer’s head as he lies helpless, a moment that has shocked viewers and fueled public outrage. The officer, who sustained multiple facial fractures, was rushed to a local hospital in critical but stable condition and underwent surgery on Tuesday. Mayor Eric Adams visited the officer, noting that he was alert and doing well under the circumstances, a testament to his resilience.
The NYPD and city officials have vowed to pursue justice relentlessly. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring both suspects face a judge. The Police Benevolent Association also issued a statement, thanking law enforcement for Hargrove’s arrest while stressing the need for the justice system to protect officers who serve the city. The attack has reignited discussions about officer safety and the challenges of policing in a city grappling with violent crime.
As the manhunt for Wayne Lucas continues, the NYPD is leaning on community support to close the case. The officer’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face, even off duty, and the city’s resolve to stand by those who protect it. The public is urged to come forward with any information that could lead to Lucas’s capture, as authorities work to ensure both suspects are held accountable for their actions.