The trial of Guy Rivera, charged with the murder of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, heard testimony that Rivera appeared to be smiling in bodycam footage moments after the fatal shooting during a routine traffic stop in Far Rockaway in March 2024.
Witness Describes Shooting and Aftermath
NYPD Detective Derval Whyte testified in Queens Criminal Court about the incident, describing how he watched Officer Diller get shot without provocation. Whyte recounted that Diller, 31, who was examining a suspicious vehicle, was struck by three gunshots fired by Rivera, who was seated in the passenger seat. The detective detailed finding Diller motionless with a bullet wound above his abdomen, after which officers attempted resuscitation.
During the session, body camera footage was shown depicting the attempts to revive Diller. Detective Whyte identified Rivera on the ground in handcuffs appearing to grin. When asked, Whyte stated, “That’s the defendant. He looks like he’s smiling.”
Details of Fatal Shooting and Charges
Prosecutors outlined that Rivera fired under Diller’s bulletproof vest, causing severe injuries including severing the officer’s iliac artery and damaging his intestines. Rivera, described as a career criminal with nearly two dozen prior arrests, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges.
Officer Jonathan Diller is survived by his wife and their young son. The trial continues as the prosecution presents evidence against Rivera in the Queens court.
For more stories on this topic, visit our category page.
