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John Collado, 43, pictured here with his grandson, was fatally shot by police last week in Inwood.
An Inwood man was fatally shot by an undercover police detective on Tues., Sept 6th outside of 26 Post Avenue.
John Collado, 43, husband, father and grandfather, was shot in the stomach when a narcotics detective moved to arrest an alleged dug dealer on the corner of Post Avenue and Dyckman Street.
Differing accounts have emerged. Police report that a plainclothes police officer from the 34th Police Precinct moved to apprehend a suspected drug dealer. There was a physical altercation while the officer attempted to subdue the suspect. Collado, who it is believed recognized the suspect as a neighbor, intervened, presumably believing he was breaking up a street fight. Collado is said to have placed the detective into a chokehold; police claim that the officer identified himself as a member of the department, which some family and friends of Collado have disputed. The detective then drew his gun and fired into Collado’s stomach as he struggled with the two men.
The victim was taken to Harlem Hospital. Although initially listed in stable condition, he was pronounced dead at approximately 2 am.
During a press conference held at the Manhattan Criminal Court, on Thurs. Sept. 8th, lawyer Patrick Brackley, representing the Collado family, said that Collado did not choke the officer as Police have said, and cited video and witness accounts of the incident.
The Collado family plans to file a wrongful death suit against the NYPD.
The alleged drug dealer Rangel Batista, 23, fled the scene but was later arrested and arraigned on charges of assault and resisting arrest. Batista is being held on $75,000 bail.
Candles and written wishes of condolences appeared on the corner of Post Avenue and Dyckman Street, where family, friends, and neighbors held a vigil on Thursday night.
The family plans to bury Collado over the weekend.
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