Brooklyn Men Charged with Attempted Murder of Off-Duty NYPD Cop in Queens Carjacking

Two Brooklyn men, Denzel Brown and Marvin Dankwah, have been charged with attempted murder, robbery, and weapons possession after allegedly shooting an off-duty NYPD officer during an attempted carjacking in Long Island City, Queens. The incident occurred early on April 27 when the suspects approached Officer Jason Mathew, who was sitting in his neon green BMW, and demanded he exit the vehicle at gunpoint. As the officer attempted to escape, Brown fired into the car, grazing Mathew's leg, after which the officer managed to drive away and seek medical help. The suspects fled in a gray Nissan but were apprehended after crashing their vehicle and attempting to escape on foot. Brown and Dankwah both have extensive criminal histories, including prior arrests for violent crimes. Law enforcement and police union leaders expressed relief that the officer is recovering and emphasized the risks faced by police and the public due to repeat offenders.