Off-duty NYPD cop dies after being shot by career criminal in Facebook Marketplace sale

A New York police officer who was shot in the head while off duty died Tuesday.

Adeed Fayaz, 26, succumbed to his injuries after a three-day battle for his life at the hospital.

The five-year veteran of the police force was shot to death Saturday night when a suspect lured him down a dark driveway after meeting to sell a car through Facebook Marketplace.

The suspect, Randy Jones, 38, was arrested Monday after being found hiding in a hotel in upstate New York.

Jones, a career criminal with at least 22 arrests to his name, was previously charged with attempted murder. With Fayaz’s death, those charges are likely to become murder.

Fayaz left behind a wife and two children. Flags were seen flying at half mast in Brooklyn’s 66th precinct after his death was announced.

The New York police released a heartfelt dedication to Fayaz upon announcing his death Tuesday.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of NYPD Police Officer Adeed Fayaz, a devoted public servant, husband, father, brother and son,” the department wrote on its Facebook page. ‘PO Fayaz, a five-year veteran of the NYPD, served the 66th Precinct community with exceptional compassion and care. Our thoughts are with his family, colleagues and loved ones at this difficult time. #never forget’

A friend from the hospital described Fayaz as a “great person, a great father,” according to the New York Daily News. “He liked to play with [his kids] and take them out. Very good father. It’s devastating to imagine your children growing up without a father.”

An officer who graduated from the Police Academy with Fayaz said that “he is a great person.”

‘No one has anything bad to say about him,’ they said.

“When he comes home, everyone joins in,” said another police officer who visited the hospital. They are always the innocent.

Former NYPD officer Ahmen Nasser, 57, had strong words for Fayaz’s killer.

“I hope you rot in hell,” he said. What can you say about a policeman? He is someone who dedicated his life to serving and protecting. And he is a family man. A good man. He will be sorely missed.

Jones allegedly arranged to meet Fayaz in East New York to sell him a Honda Pilot.

Fayaz and his brother-in-law arrived with $24,000 in cash to buy the car when the suspect allegedly pulled a gun on them.

He then allegedly opened fire, hitting Fayaz in the head.

The victim’s brother grabbed Fayaz’s gun and fired, but the robber managed to escape in a black BMW.

After a citywide chase, the car was located abandoned in Harlem, near where the suspect lived with his girlfriend, according to The New York Post.

Sources also said the BMW belonged to the suspect’s mother, who lived near where the shooting occurred in East New York.

Jones is believed to be behind a similar robbery that took place near the scene of the shooting on January 13.

On Monday, Jones was found hiding with his girlfriend and their two children at a hotel in Rockland County, just northwest of Manhattan on the New Jersey border.

The handcuffs used to arrest Jones reportedly belonged to Fayaz.

Jones has a criminal record with at least 22 arrests for a variety of crimes, including some violent assaults.

He has previously been booked for stalking, grand theft and strangulation, according to The Post.

He was wanted on a 2019 traffic and vehicle-related warrant at the time of his arrest Monday.

Jones has reportedly refused to answer investigators’ questions.

“Our prayers, of course, are with the officer and his family as he continues to fight for his life,” religious adviser to Mayor Eric Adams, Gilford Monrose, said at a vigil on Sunday.

The NYPD was offering $10,000 for the suspect’s arrest as of Monday.

“We will catch the person responsible for this act,” Adams said after the shooting. ‘An officer running a simple errand and a dangerous person pulled out a firearm.