Cry to put shoot sgt. behind bars
The NYPD’s firing of a sergeant who shot an ex-friend over a personal beef should be step one on a journey to prison, the victim’s supporters said Saturday.
“Arrest him, indict him, convict him and send him to jail,” said Assemblyman Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn). “We have an officer that we pay to protect us, and he decides he’s going to go street?”
Barron spoke outside Brookdale University Hospital, where shooting victim Thavone Santana remained in critical condition more than three weeks after he was blasted by 18-year NYPD veteran Ritchard Blake, authorities said. Sources told the Daily News that Blake, 40, was fired Friday.
The gunman and Santana, 21, were running buddies who had a falling-out over a woman before their July 26 confrontation around 5 a.m. in Brownsville. A video showed the two men arguing before an off-duty Blake pulled out a handgun and fired twice — hitting Santana in the chin. The young man underwent two surgeries to his face after the gunfire, while Blake has yet to face any criminal charges.
“What he did to this family is reprehensible,” said community activist Chris Banks. “And we are demanding justice.”
Santana’s mother joined Barron outside the hospital, where her son was still unable to speak.
“I will speak for him,” said mom Arrie Spencer. “I’m hurting today, but we’re going to get through this as a family. I’m really saddened. I’m hurting.”
Blake initially lied about what happened, claiming Santana was robbing him before he opened fire. His story collapsed when detectives found the video and uncovered the bad blood between the pair.
Police sources told the Daily News Santana knew Blake’s girlfriend, and that he and the officer hung out together in local bars. The cop from the 109th Precinct was already on NYPD probation for a 2016 allegation that he attacked his girlfriend.
Barron expressed outrage that Blake wasn’t behind bars already. “He’s running around loose now,” said Barron. “He’s been fired. But now I’m worried about the safety of the family.”