GRAND JURY CHARGES MANHATTAN MAN WITH THE ATTEMPTED MURDERS OF THREE PEOPLE INCLUDING AN OFF DUTY NEW YORK CITY POLICE OFFICER

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a grand jury has charged Michael Robinson with the attempted murders of an off duty New York City Police Officer and two other people.

Robinson, 20 of 140 Columbus Avenue, was indicted today on three counts of Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree, three counts of Attempted Assault in the 1st degree, one count each of Criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd and 3rd degrees, and one count of Criminal use of a firearm in the 2nd degree. The most serious offense, Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree, is a Class B felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to twenty five years imprisonment.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight on January 3, 2005 when the defendant allegedly fired several shots at three men while attempting to engage them in a verbal confrontation. None of the men were injured. One of the intended targets, however, was off duty detective Pedro Lopez who returned fire and wounded the defendant. The shooting occurred in front of 1309 Clinton Avenue, where Lopez had parked his high end luxury car while waiting for a girl friend. Lopez was sitting in the car with two other friends when the defendant allegedly accosted them demanding to know why they were parked in that particular spot. Robinson, according to court papers, walked toward the car and began “firing multiple shots at all three men as they sat in the vehicle, striking the driver’s side door and front tire.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rachel Singer of the Rackets Bureau.