New York Releases Rapper Who Allegedly Shot Cop Day Before Separate Slain Officer’s Funeral

Just one day before the funeral of Jason Rivera, an NYPD cop who was shot and killed in the line of duty, a liberal New York City judge granted bond to a 16-year-old who has been charged with shooting a separate NYPD cop earlier this month.

The move prompted outrage from police advocates, such as NYPD Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Lynch, who said liberal bail policies are responsible for the rising murder rate in the city.

“If anybody wants to know why we have a crisis of violence in this city, or why we’re about to bury two hero police officers, look no further than this disgraceful bail release,” Lynch told the New York Post. “Shame on Judge Denis Boyle for allowing this to happen.”

Camrin Williams, who goes by the rap moniker C Blu and is charged with shooting NYPD officer Kaseem Pennant during a scuffle, allegedly used money from his Interscope Records contract advance to post the $15,000 cash for his $250,000 bond. Prosecutors had asked Judge Boyle not to offer bail to Williams.

The release of Williams on Thursday came a day before hundreds of current and former NYPD members arrived at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Rivera’s funeral. Both he and officer Wilbert Mora were shot and killed on Jan. 21 after responding to a domestic disturbance call in Manhattan.

New York saw homicides spike by nearly 45 percent in 2020 compared to 2019. In 2021, the city saw nearly 500 homicides, the most in a decade.