An off-duty NYPD officer continues to suffer from significant vision problems after a brutal assault in the Bronx. Officer Chowdhury Nafees, who was beaten to the extent that he had a shoe print imprinted on his face, faces ongoing health challenges, with sensitivity to light and blurred vision hindering his day-to-day life. The Police Benevolent Association President, Patrick Hendry, conveyed that despite the physical therapy and determination, Nafees is still grappling with the aftereffects of the attack, as reported by the Gothamist.
Two men, Taveon Hargrove and Wayne Lucas, are accused of the crime and have both entered not guilty pleas to charges of attempted murder among other offenses. They are currently held without bail. The duo is alleged to have assaulted Nafees after recognizing his police uniform under a coat they initially intended just to rob, according to a Gothamist interview with District Attorney Darcel Clark. In a stark illustration of the incident's ferocity, Clark stated, "When they saw his uniform, this defendant allegedly stomped on the officer's head so forcefully that it left a shoe print on his face."
Following the event, the suspects reportedly fled to Virginia but were apprehended by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch's team, utilizing the handcuffs stolen from Nafees during the attack. Hargrove initially resisted extradition but was subsequently returned to New York. Additional information from the Gothamist suggests Hargrove fought extradition; however, once back in New York, faced a press conference where the severity of Nafees' condition was further detailed.
The New York Post coverage reflects the strong support Nafees has received from the NYPD community, noting that numerous officers attended Hargrove's arraignment, a show of solidarity for their fellow officer. Bronx Acting Supreme Court Justice Kim Parker, considering the gravity of the case, has ordered Hargrove to be remanded. Hendry was quoted as saying, "He was devastated and he is now thankful that [Hargrove] is being held accountable. And we're going to make sure because we're his blue family. We’re going to make sure that this individual and his accomplice is held accountable."
The case has drawn widespread attention due to its violent nature and the subsequent plight of the attacked officer. Both Hargrove and Lucas will return to court on September 12, as they face the legal consequences of what the authorities have described as a callous and targeted assault against an NYPD officer. Meanwhile, Officer Nafees, who joined the NYPD in January 2024, persists in his recovery with the backing of his colleagues and union representatives.
