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Rich Cimini
A comprehensive search operation concluded successfully with the capture of a 20-year-old individual suspected of shooting New York Jets player Kris Boyd, according to reports from law enforcement agencies on Tuesday.
The individual’s name has not been disclosed by authorities. He was taken to a police station in Midtown Manhattan for questioning and is now facing charges. His arrest occurred on Monday morning near the University of Buffalo North Campus in Amherst, New York.
Boyd, who is 29, sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen on November 16 at around 2 a.m. during an altercation outside a well-known restaurant in Manhattan. Initially reported to be in critical but stable condition, with a bullet lodged in his lung, Boyd has since been released from the hospital and surprised his teammates with a visit to the Jets’ facility last Wednesday. His teammates Jamien Sherwood and Irvin Charles were present at the time of the incident.
Authorities suspect that the assailant fled from the New York City area to evade arrest, as indicated by the U.S. Marshals office. The man was located in Buffalo, culminating in a tense standoff at an apartment complex.
Early on Monday, the U.S. Marshals Service in Buffalo, in collaboration with the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, verified the individual’s presence in a second-floor apartment, according to reports from the U.S. Marshals office.
The suspect was reportedly seen looking out of the apartment window in search of an escape route but retreated inside after noticing the police team along with a canine officer. As authorities began to evacuate adjacent apartments for safety, the suspect exited his residence with his hands raised.
Officials have yet to recover the firearm used in the shooting, according to the U.S. Marshals, who also mentioned that the suspect «significantly altered his physical appearance, likely to evade capture.»
Boyd signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Jets in March after previous stints with the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, and Minnesota Vikings. He had to confront a season-ending shoulder injury during training camp.
Recognized for his contributions to special teams, Boyd participated in a special teams meeting last week and provided a breakdown of the session afterward, much to the approval of his teammates and coaches, despite using a walker for support.
Boyd’s visit came shortly after he announced on social media that he had returned to the hospital «due to my health issues.»
