The incident occurred following a robbery on the Lower East Side. A photograph provided to The New York Post depicted Dorsett, handcuffed and shackled, making an obscene gesture towards the camera from his holding cell.
According to The New York Post, the suspect, dressed in grubby gray sweatpants and a matching hoodie, was barefoot. He later appeared in court wearing a t-shirt and pajama pants adorned with the “I Love NY” logo. The image of Dorsett's insolence has sparked outrage among law enforcement officials.
“That’s a snapshot of everything that’s wrong on our streets right now — another repeat offender who has no respect for the law, no regard for human life, and no fear that he’ll face any consequences,” said Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry. He added, “The justice system needs to step up and show him he’s wrong. These attacks on police officers won’t stop until the message on the streets changes.”
Dorsett was apprehended on Thursday after allegedly threatening patrons at a Canal Street mahjong parlor with a firearm and stealing their purses. The incident was caught on video obtained exclusively by The Post. Shortly after, two sergeants attempted to restrain Dorsett on Eldridge Street, near Delancey, leading to the shooting.
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Authorities identified Dorsett as a member of the Up the Hill gang. He reportedly fired a single shot that wounded both officers. Sgt. Carl Johnson, 43, of the 5th precinct, was shot in the groin, and the same bullet grazed Sgt. Christopher Leap, 34, of the 7th precinct, in the left leg. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny confirmed the recovery of a .45 Taurus semi-automatic pistol at the scene during a news conference on Thursday night.
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Both officers were rushed to Bellevue Hospital. Leap, an 11-year veteran of the NYPD, was discharged around 9 p.m. on Thursday. Johnson, a 16-year veteran, remained in the hospital with a bullet fragment lodged in his thigh, as per the criminal complaint against Dorsett.
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Dorsett was arraigned on Friday on charges of attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and assault. His history with law enforcement includes at least three prior arrests for criminal possession of a controlled substance. A criminal complaint reveals that Dorsett sold crack cocaine to an undercover officer six times between March 8 and June 6, 2022. He pleaded guilty to criminal sale of a controlled substance in the case and was sentenced to three years of probation in May.
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In a chilling twist, Dorsett had visited his parole officer just a few hours before the shooting, as reported by the police. This incident underscores the urgent need for a more robust justice system that can effectively deter repeat offenders and protect law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily to maintain law and order.
