FDNY Firefighter Charged With Assaulting NYPD Officer at Queens Hospital

An FDNY firefighter was arrested after allegedly punching an on-duty NYPD officer in the face inside Queens Hospital Center on Wednesday night, according to a criminal complaint. The firefighter, 34, was on duty when he experienced a mental health crisis and was taken to the hospital, sources said.

, the complaint stated. The blow caused redness, swelling, and substantial pain, and the officer remained at the hospital for treatment, court documents said. The attack was unprovoked and the two did not know each other, sources said.

The firefighter was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with second-degree assault, a felony, authorities said. He was arraigned Thursday before Judge Glenda Hernandez, who set bail at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond and ordered him to return to court on June 2.

The FDNY said the firefighter will be suspended pending the end of his medical leave, a department spokesperson said. The officer joined the NYPD in 2018 and has been assigned to the 105th Precinct since 2020, according to department records.