NYPD Officer Wounded in Queens Shootout Kills Armed Robbery Suspect

Officer Rich Wong, shot in the leg by a career criminal with a lengthy record, returned fire to end the suspect’s violent spree.

Officer Rich Wong, a seven-year NYPD veteran, was shot in the thigh while responding to armed robberies in Queens on November 19, 2024.
The suspect, Gary Worthy, 57, was a career criminal with 17 prior arrests, including manslaughter, and was on lifetime parole at the time of the incident.
Worthy had committed two armed robberies earlier that evening, firing shots in both, before being confronted by Wong and his partner.
A bystander, a 26-year-old woman, was also shot in the leg during the exchange of gunfire and is expected to recover alongside Officer Wong.
The incident has reignited criticism of the criminal justice system, with officials questioning why Worthy was free despite his extensive criminal history and recent arrests.