In a startling incident on Thursday evening, 41-year-old Ernst Delma attacked a New York Police Department officer during an arrest attempt on a Bronx sidewalk, authorities confirmed to XMN News.
The confrontation occurred around 7:10 p.m. on Randall Avenue when officers approached Delma with the intention of arresting him for undisclosed reasons. According to an NYPD spokesperson, as the officers moved to apprehend him, Delma suddenly “struck an officer in the face,” leading to a brief altercation.
Bystanders captured portions of the incident on their mobile devices, showing the immediate aftermath of the assault. Witnesses reported that the officer appeared momentarily stunned but quickly regained composure to assist in subduing Delma.
Additional officers arrived promptly at the scene, and Delma was taken into custody without further incident. The injured officer was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation and is expected to make a full recovery.
Charges against Delma are pending and are expected to include assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, and potentially other related offenses. The motive behind Delma’s actions remains unclear, and the NYPD has not released details regarding the initial cause for the arrest attempt.
Community leaders expressed concern over the rising number of assaults on law enforcement officers in the area. “Any attack on our police officers is an attack on the safety and well-being of our community,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “We must ensure that our officers are protected as they work tirelessly to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing. The NYPD has urged anyone with additional information or footage related to the event to come forward.
XMN News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.