Christopher Ransom (L) has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in relation to the shooting dead of Detective Brian Simonsen (R) (Photos: @TerenceMonahan and NYPD)
Oct 20, 2021 By Michael Dorgan
A Brooklyn man whose attempted robbery of a T-Mobile store in Richmond Hill resulted in a cop being shot dead pleaded guilty to manslaughter Wednesday, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office.
Christopher Ransom, 30, was holding up the store with another suspect in 2019 when police were called to the scene and fired off a barrage of bullets at Ransom – after he pointed an imitation gun at them.
Detective Brian Simonsen, 42, was fatally shot once in the torso by the police fire while Sergeant Matthew Gorman was seriously injured with a bullet wound to his left leg.
“The defendant set in motion a terrible chain of events that began with a robbery and ended in a spray of bullets when Ransom pointed what appeared to be a deadly firearm toward police officers,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.
“The defendant was repeatedly told to lower his weapon but did not do so.”
Ransom also pleaded guilty to robbery for holding up the phone store. He is expected to be sentenced to 33 years in prison when he returns to court on Nov. 17, according to the Queens DA.
The deadly shooting took place on Feb. 12, 2019, shortly after Ransom and his accomplice entered the 91-62 120th St. store at around 6 p.m.
Ransom brandished a black pistol and ordered two workers inside the store to hand over cash and merchandise from a back room, according to the Queens DA.
When police arrived Ransom pointed the gun – which appeared real – at the cops, who discharged their weapons in response, the Queens DA said.
Detective Simonsen, a 19-year veteran of the force, was fatally struck by one of the bullets fired by police.
Ransom was shot eight times but survived, according to reports.
The Detectives Endowment Association released a statement shortly after Ransom’s plea.
“If not for Christopher Ransom committing a robbery that day in Queens, Brian would be with us today.”
“For that, Ransom should spend every waking moment of the next 33 years in jail thinking about the grief he has caused so many.”
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