Police arrested and charged the man who they say opened fire on an
off-duty cop.
Joseph Baez, 21, was arrested at Bronx Lebanon Hospital late Monday and
is set to be arraigned on various charges in connection with Sunday's shooting
of Officer Nelson Vergara, according to the Bronx DA's office.
Vergara, 36, returned to his University Heights home after work that day
when he encountered a group of men arguing, police said.
After the 12-year NYPD vet identified himself as a cop when a bottle was
thrown at his car, he was allegedly shot by Baez, who pulled up in a car, the
NYPD said.
Vergara returned fire and struck Baez, according to the police. Vergara
was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital and released yesterday, a police spokesman
said.
Baez was charged with attempted murder, assault and criminal possession
of a weapon