Per sources close to the situation, there have been several updates regarding an off-duty officer involved shooting in the Bronx on Tuesday night. Firstly, the driver of the stolen vehicle allegedly was engaged in a relationship with Officer Baez’s girlfriend, a piece of information which could explain the motive behind his aggression. However, there appears to have been either a misidentification of the individuals in the vehicle or a misunderstanding regarding who was engaged with Baez’s girlfriend as he deliberately targeted one of the passengers.
It was originally reported that Baez decided to chase down the vehicle after identifying that it had been personally stolen from him. He later proceeded to hold the occupants at gunpoint after instructing them to exit the car. Now speculation centers around whether there was an additional incentive to settle a personal score involving his romantic partner.
Baez was also said to have consumed alcohol before we went to chase down the stolen vehicle, which might’ve factored into his decision-making process and behavior. It remains unknown at this time how much alcohol Baez consumed or whether he was legally intoxicated at the time the shooting took place.
The NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information (DCPI) didn’t return requests to comment on or clarify the new revelations via phone or email. Additional updates will be provided as they’re received.