A New York City Police Department sergeant was convicted Friday of manslaughter in the death of a suspect fleeing a drug bust after he threw a plastic cooler at the man’s head. Sgt. Erik Duran, 38, was found responsible for the August 2023 death of Eric Duprey, who was riding a scooter along a Bronx sidewalk following a “buy-and-bust” operation in which Duprey allegedly sold $20 worth of cocaine to undercover officers, the New York Post reported.

The case was decided by a judge after Duran waived his right to a jury trial. Bronx Supreme Court Judge Guy Mitchell announced the verdict in a courtroom split between police officers and Duprey’s family and supporters, with court officers separating the groups. Duran faces up to 15 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 19.

Surveillance video played a central role in the trial, showing Duprey riding toward a group of people who were not in uniform. As Duprey approached, Duran reportedly picked up a red cooler and threw it at the suspect’s head. Duprey lost control of the scooter, collided with a tree and a metal barricade, and was pronounced dead minutes later.

Duran testified that he threw the cooler to protect fellow officers, stating, “I thought he was going to kill my guys.” Judge Mitchell rejected the defense, ruling that the use of deadly force was not justified. “After consideration of all evidence, the people proved beyond all reasonable doubt that this defendant was not justified,” the judge said.

Attorney General Letitia James’ office, which prosecutes police-involved deaths under a 2015 state law, handled the case. Duran has been an NYPD officer since 2010 and has received multiple departmental recognitions for meritorious service. His record includes a substantiated complaint in 2022 for abusing authority during a stop, according to the Civilian Complaint Review Board.

Following the verdict, Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong called the decision a “miscarriage of justice,” warning it sends a chilling message to officers who use force in defense of themselves or others. Duprey’s partner, Pearl Velez, said she always believed justice would be served.

The conviction marks a rare legal outcome for the NYPD, making Duran the first officer in ten years to be criminally convicted for a death while on duty in New York City.