Brothers Charged for Attacking, Strangling Off-Duty Cop

ELMHURST, NY – An off-duty NYPD officer was assaulted and strangled by two men after a traffic altercation near Queens Boulevard and 70th Street.Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Shawn Rivera, 27, and Edwin Rivera, 32, have been arraigned on charges including first-degree assault and strangulation. The pair were involved in an attack on Officer Christopher Campos, who identified himself as a police officer during the altercation.The accused, both residents of 70th Street in Woodside, face additional charges such as assault on a peace or police officer, attempted criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal mischief. They are set to return to court on September 5 and could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.According to court documents, the incident took place on August 30 around 12:50 p.m. Officer Campos was driving when he navigated around a Chrysler Pacifica that was blocking part of the road. The Pacifica then accelerated toward Campos’s car, narrowly missing it. After hearing a sound at the rear of his car, Campos stopped and reversed, at which point Shawn Rivera shattered his car’s back window by punching it.Officer Campos exited his vehicle, identified himself as a police officer, and attempted to arrest Shawn Rivera. Edwin Rivera intervened, and the brothers pushed Campos to the ground, proceeding to strangle him. During the scuffle, Campos fired one round from his weapon, injuring both himself and Edwin Rivera. Campos was later taken to Elmhurst Hospital for knee surgery.