In a courtroom on Monday, a judge delivered a scathing rebuke to Devin Spraggins, 24, sentencing him to a lengthy prison term for the attempted murder of a New York Police Department officer. Spraggins's conviction stems from an April 2023 incident where he shot Officer Brett Boller on a city bus. The altercation began with a dispute between Spraggins and another passenger, escalating when Officer Boller intervened.

Judge Kenneth Holder condemned Spraggins's actions, highlighting the chilling moment when Spraggins, after the initial shot, pointed the gun again at the injured officer and pulled the trigger, unaware the magazine had fallen out. The judge described this act as an attempted execution. He further emphasized the irony of the situation, noting that Officer Boller and his colleagues would have risked their lives for anyone, including Spraggins and his family, yet Spraggins showed complete disregard for the officer's life.

Spraggins shot Officer Boller, who had been on the force for less than a year, in the right hip. Following the shooting, Spraggins fled the scene using a ride-sharing service, while Officer Boller was transported to a hospital in stable condition.

According to authorities, the incident unfolded when Spraggins confronted a fellow passenger on the bus, accusing the passenger of staring and demanding they vacate the seat. This verbal exchange escalated into a physical altercation, prompting the bus driver to flag down nearby officers, leading to the subsequent shooting.