Queens Man Faces Decades in Prison for Shocking Bus Incident

Judge holding gavel in a courtroom setting.

A Queens man who shot a rookie NYPD officer on a city bus has been sentenced to 39 years to life, with the judge delivering a scathing rebuke during sentencing.

At a Glance

Devin Spraggins, 24, sentenced to 39 years to life for shooting NYPD Officer Brett Boller
Incident occurred on April 5, 2023, following a dispute on an MTA bus in Jamaica, Queens
Spraggins convicted of attempted murder but acquitted of charges involving a second officer
Judge Kenneth Holder criticized Spraggins for attempting to execute Officer Boller
Officer Boller promoted to detective following the incident and long recovery process

Violent Confrontation on City Bus Leads to Officer Shooting

On April 5, 2023, what began as a dispute over a bus seat in Jamaica, Queens, escalated into a violent confrontation that left a rookie NYPD officer wounded and a community shaken. Devin Spraggins, 24, has now been sentenced to 39 years to life for shooting Officer Brett Boller during the incident, which unfolded after Spraggins aggressively confronted another passenger on an MTA bus.

The altercation quickly spiraled out of control when police were called to the scene. As officers attempted to intervene, Spraggins opened fire, striking Officer Boller in the right hip. The rookie officer, who had been on the force for less than a year, fell to the ground in pain. In a chilling turn of events, Spraggins attempted to shoot Boller a second time, but the magazine dropped from the gun, preventing further shots.

A defendant was sentenced today to 39 years to life for the attempted murder of an NYPD officer in April 2023, among other charges.

The officer and his partner were on routine patrol when they confronted the defendant after he assaulted a bus passenger. https://t.co/x7qB2bguec pic.twitter.com/Cbwa4KSYKl

— Queens DA Katz (@QueensDAKatz) December 2, 2024

Judge Delivers Harsh Rebuke During Sentencing

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Kenneth Holder did not mince words as he addressed Spraggins, emphasizing the gravity of his actions and the impact on Officer Boller’s life and career. The judge’s remarks highlighted the stark contrast between the officers’ dedication to public service and Spraggins’ disregard for human life. “For me, the defining moment in this case was not that you shot Police Officer Boller in the leg. It’s that you, not knowing the magazine had fallen out of the gun and while watching Police Officer Boller on the ground screaming in pain, you pointed your gun at him and you pulled the trigger. You effectively tried to execute him.”

The judge’s words underscored the senselessness of the violence and the profound impact it has had on Officer Boller’s life and career trajectory. Despite attempts by Spraggins’ lawyer to argue for a minimum sentence based on his client’s troubled background, the judge remained unmoved, focusing instead on the severity of the crime and its consequences.

Community and Law Enforcement Response

The sentencing has drawn strong reactions from law enforcement officials and community leaders. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz emphasized the disproportionate escalation of the incident, which began over a simple bus seat dispute and ended with an officer’s life-altering injury.

The NYPD Police Benevolent Association president praised the judge’s decision, highlighting the message it sends about the consequences of assaulting police officers. This case has become a rallying point for those advocating for stronger protections for law enforcement personnel and harsher penalties for those who attack them.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Officer Boller was promoted to detective, a recognition of his bravery and sacrifice. However, as Judge Holder pointed out, the incident has permanently altered his career path and the contributions he might have made to the city in his original role.