By Tiffany Williams –
BRONX, N.Y. — A Bronx teenager has been indicted on attempted murder and assault charges after prosecutors say he accelerated a stolen SUV directly toward two New York City police officers during an attempted traffic stop, striking one officer before another opened fire.
Jayden Mendoza, 18, of the Bronx, was indicted on two counts of first-degree attempted murder, two counts of first-degree attempted assault, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of second-degree assault and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, according to Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark. Mendoza was arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Sam David and remanded.
The confrontation unfolded at approximately 5:30 p.m. June 21 after a license plate reader detected a Kia Sportage crossing the University Heights Bridge from Manhattan into the Bronx. Authorities said the SUV had been reported stolen two days earlier.
Shortly afterward, six unmarked NYPD vehicles surrounded the Kia after it stopped at East Fordham Road and Webster Avenue. NYPD Sgt. Yousef Abdallah and Officer Nicholas Gluth got out of their vehicle, approached the Kia and ordered Mendoza, who prosecutors say was behind the wheel, to get out.
Prosecutors allege Mendoza did not comply.
Instead, authorities say, he accelerated the Kia directly toward the officers.
Abdallah was struck by the SUV. Gluth avoided being hit by jumping onto the hood of a parked vehicle before firing three shots through the Kia’s windshield, striking Mendoza three times.
Abdallah was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital for treatment of a laceration to the back of his head. Mendoza was rushed to a hospital and underwent emergency surgery for gunshot wounds to his abdomen, right arm and right leg.
Investigators later executed a search warrant on the Kia and recovered a loaded semi-automatic firearm inside a bag in the back seat, according to prosecutors.
“This defendant, allegedly in an apparent attempt to evade a police traffic stop while driving an SUV that was reported stolen, ignored repeated demands to exit the vehicle and instead accelerated directly into the path of two officers. Thankfully the officers were not seriously hurt. We will hold accountable those who would seek to harm our police officers,” Clark said.
Mendoza is due back in court Sept. 25.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tyler Lee Gibson of the Public Integrity Bureau. The Bronx District Attorney’s Office also credited the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division for its work in the investigation.
The charges remain allegations. Mendoza is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.