THE BRONX — After a week spent in the hospital, the man suspected of shooting an off-duty police officer in Morris Heights was arraigned on Tuesday morning, according to the Bronx District Attorney's office.
Joseph Baez, 21, was arrested a day after allegedly shooting Officer Nelson Vergara twice on the morning of June 24, as the Iraq War veteran cop made his way home from work.
According to police, Baez ended up in Bronx-Lebanon hospital after Vergara returned fire as the alleged shooter was making a getaway. Baez was arrested at the hospital, where he was being treated for injuries until Monday night, the District Attorney's office said.
Vergara was taken to St. Barnabas hospital and released a day later.
Baez was charged with attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment, according to the court complaint.
