OFF-DUTY NEW YORK CITY POLICE OFFICER SHOT IN ROBBERY DIES

NEW YORK (AP) — An off-duty New York City police officer who was shot in the head during a botched robbery died Tuesday, the police commissioner said as officials also confirmed the arrest of a suspect.

Officer Adeed Fayaz, 26, was shot Saturday in Brooklyn, where he and his brother-in-law went to buy a car posted on Facebook Marketplace from a man later identified as the alleged shooter, authorities said.

“Police Officer Adeed Fayaz was a father, a husband, a son, and a protector of our great city,” NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said in a social media post Tuesday evening. “Our Department deeply mourns his passing, and his family and loved ones are in our prayers.”

Police officials announced earlier Tuesday that Randy Jones, 38, was arrested at a suburban motel Monday in connection with the shooting.

Fayaz agreed to meet Jones on Saturday to buy a car for $24,000, Chief of Detectives James Essig said. When Fayaz and his brother-in-law arrived, Jones asked “jokingly” if the men were armed, Essig said. Jones then put Fayaz in a headlock and demanded the money, the chief said.

Fayaz said he didn't have the money, Essig said, and Jones pointed a gun at Fayaz's brother-in-law. Fayaz broke free from the headlock and Jones shot him in the head, Essig said.

Jones ran, firing more shots at he fled, Essig said. The brotherin-law grabbed Fayaz's gun from his hip and fired several shots as well, he said. The brother-in-law was not injured.

Jones drove off in a 2011 BMW that was registered to his mother, Essig said.

Jones was arrested Monday at a Days Inn in Nanuet, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) north of New York City. A woman and five children ages 6 months to 11 years were with him at the motel, Essig said.

Charges against Jones were pending Tuesday. Information on his attorney was not available.