FLATLANDS — A off-duty rookie city jails officer was fatally shot in her car Sunday night, NYPD officials said.
Alastasia Bryan, a 25-year-old officer with the Department of Correction, was hit in the head and torso as she sat in a car near Avenue L and East 73rd Street about 9:20 p.m., police said.
Bryan, of East New York, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Family said Bryan had just become a correction officer and quickly distinguished herself as fearless in what was typically a hostile setting. She hoped one day to join the NYPD.
"She was loving. She was caring. She always wanted to serve and help the people around her. Now someone took that away her," said Colleen Yearwood, 45.
"She wanted to succeed. She wanted to live her life and take care of her family," she added.
The circumstances of the shooting were not immediately clear, according to investigators.
There were no immediate arrests, police said.
"Whoever did this, God is watching," Yearwood said.
Union officials said they would help investigators hunt Bryan's killer.
"There are no words that can express the depth of this tragedy," said Eric Husamudeen, president of the Correction Officers' Benevolent Association.
"The COBA will do everything we can to support the officer's family during this time and we will not rest until the assailant or assailants are brought to justice," the president added.
Correction officials said they were heartbroken by Bryan's murder.
The entire Department of Correction is in mourning, deeply saddened to learn of the shooting death of an off-duty correction officer," said DOC commissioner Joseph Ponte.
"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the officer's family, friends and fellow officers throughout the department, during this most difficult time," he added.
