The five men arrested in connection with the death of 22-year veteran NYPD officer Peter Figoski were arraigned in court this evening.
Officials say 27-year-old Lamont Pride shot and killed officer Peter Figoski during a home invasion yesterday morning in Cypress Hills. Pride was arraigned on a first-degree murder charge and ordered held without bail until his next hearing on Dec. 16.
Four other people were also arraigned on second-degree murder charges in connection with the death of officer Figoski. Thirty-year-old Kevin Santos, 27-year-old Nelson Morales, 22-year-old Ariel Tejada, and 21-year-old Michael Velez were arraigned and also ordered held without bail.
All five suspects were brought into the court room in shackles for their arraignment. The suspects asked for protective custody out of fear for their safety while in jail.
More than 1,000 police officers were at the Brooklyn Criminal Court to show their support for the slain officer.
Figoski, 47, of West Babylon on Long Island, was responding to reports of an armed robbery early Monday morning at 25 Pine St. and was shot in the face by Pride, according to investigators. He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital where he was pronounced dead several hours later.To see extended video of Lamont Pride's arraignment, and to watch NYPD officials hold a news conference on the shooting death of officer Figoski, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select 'iO Extra.'