NYPD Killer Posted Threats as a Warning Came Too Late

As New York City grapples with the fallout from the execution-style murders of two NYPD officers, Police Commissioner Bill Bratton yesterday lamented that "two of New York's Finest were shot and killed with no warning." Except, as he amended, "the warning was coming." What went down, via reporting in the Baltimore Sun and DNAinfo: Police in Baltimore County say that shortly before 6am yesterday, 28-year-old shooter Ismaaiyl Brinsley shot and wounded an ex-girlfriend at an apartment complex outside Baltimore. She is listed in serious condition, but expected to survive. Police believe he then traveled to New York City, posting threats on social media along the way.

Brinsley posted to Instagram: "I'm putting wings on pigs today. They take 1 of ours, let's take 2 of theirs. This May Be My Final Post. I'm Putting Pigs In A Blanket." He used hashtags Shootthepolice, RIPErivGardner (sic), and RIPMikeBrown. According to the Sun's screenshot, the post garnered at least 221 likes. A Baltimore County Police spokeswoman said officers became aware of Brinsley's posts about 1:30pm, and began monitoring them, as well as his location via his cellphone. They tracked him to NYPD's 70th Precinct, which they called at 2:10pm to warn of the threat. They sent a Teletype at 2:50pm. But it was too late: Officers Wenjian Liu, 32, and Rafael Ramos, 40, were shot at 2:45pm. (More Ismaaiyl Brinsley stories.)