Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In a show of solidarity, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has amplified the call for criminal charges against Sergeant Erik Duran, an NYPD narcotics sergeant based in the Bronx, New York, dubbed as the "cooler killer" for allegedly hurling a picnic cooler at Eric Duprey, leading to his death.
Duprey was riding a moped when the incident took place, and his death has been ruled a homicide by the city's medical examiner.
Hawk Newsome, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Greater NY, expressed his outrage and condemnation of the incident, emphasizing that it was not a mere accident or the outcome of an unfortunate crash. Instead, he characterized Duran as an "unhinged police officer" who resorted to extreme actions.
BLM Greater NY's co-founder Hawk Newsome speaks out about the alleged 'cooler killer' Sergeant Erik Duran
Speaking at the location where Eric Duprey tragically died, Hawk Newsome said, "It was the result of an unhinged police officer who picked up a cooler full of sodas, full of waters, and slammed it into a man’s face who was riding a scooter down this block," as per the NY Daily News.
The incident has led the Black Lives Matter group to use the moniker "cooler killer" for Sergeant Erik Duran, who allegedly hurled the object at Duprey. "You call him an NYPD cop. We call him the 'Cooler Killer'," stated Newsome.
Duprey, a father of three who worked for Uber Eats, found himself entangled in an undercover narcotics operation on the evening of August 23 around 5.30 pm.
Attempting to evade the police, he hopped onto his moped to speed off along Aqueduct Avenue when Duran, a seasoned veteran with 13 years on the police force, apparently seized a red and white drink cooler from a nearby table only to hurl it at Duprey as he raced down the sidewalk.
Surveillance footage of the incident paints a grim picture of Duprey losing control of his moped and crashing headfirst into a parked car. Tragically, the 30-year-old died due to blunt force injuries to the head, as determined by the city's medical examiner.
Consequently, the State Attorney General's office initiated an investigation into Duprey's death, adhering to established legal protocols.
Newsome claimed the incident to be murder, proclaiming, "What we’re dealing with right now is a murder. We will protest until Letitia James, our attorney general, indicts this cop for murder. Not manslaughter. Not criminally negligent homicide. But murder."
Crucial context emerged from sources close to the case, revealing that before his untimely death, Duprey had allegedly sold $20 worth of crack to an undercover officer. As he attempted to evade capture, his direction of flight was relayed to officers, including Sgt Duran, who supposedly threw the cooler.
Critically, Newsome decried Duran's actions as being fueled by rage, a departure from standard police protocol and procedure. "That’s not police protocol," expressed the BLM Greater NY co-founder about the cooler toss.
NYPD responds regarding the alleged 'cooler killer' Sergeant Erik Duran
The NYPD confirmed that Sergeant Duran's actions were not in line with their established guidelines, as a department official stated, "We don’t train officers to pick up something and throw it at a suspect," according to NY Daily News.
As of now, Sergeant Duran has been reportedly suspended from duty without pay as both the NYPD and the State Attorney General's office initiate investigations into the circumstances surrounding Duprey's tragic death.
It's worth noting that Duran's police record includes several instances that have come under scrutiny by the Civilian Complaint Review Board. One of the cases resulted in disciplinary action due to an abuse of authority in an unlawful street stop.
Community mourns Eric Duprey's death
Eric Duprey's untimely death was mourned by the community, with friends and neighbors sharing memories surrounding him. Fond recollections painted Duprey as a loving father who possessed a flair for doing tricks using his moped.
Hector Miolan, a longtime friend, reminisced about Duprey's daredevil feats, saying, "He used to do wheelies with one foot," adding, "(He was) loved by everyone in the neighborhood. Especially all the guys on the scooters. He was real good at doing tricks," as per the NY Daily News.
Miolan continued, "He was a legend. It’s really sad."
Jonathan Roberts, a lawyer representing Duprey's family, characterized him as a family-oriented man whose death has left an indelible void.
"Another young man gone too soon at the hands of a reckless police officer — a loving partner, father, and son who provided financial and emotional support to his family," expressed Roberts on Saturday, August 26, adding, "Nothing can mitigate this family’s pain, but the individual who committed this heinous act must be held accountable."
Duprey's death has prompted widespread reflection on the role of law enforcement in society.
Miolan questioned the motivations that could lead a police officer to commit such an act, asking, "What makes a cop do something like that?" before remarking, "It doesn’t make any sense. They’re supposed to protect us. Not to act like — I don’t mean to say the word — but wild animals."
