Man sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for causing friendly-fire killing of NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen

The lookout in the botched robbery of a cellphone store in Queens that resulted in the 2019 friendly-fire killing of NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen, a Calverton resident, was sentenced Thursday to 30 years to life in prison. 

Jagger Freeman, 28, of Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens, was convicted last month of second-degree murder, first- and second-degree robbery and second-degree assault for his role as the lookout during the Feb. 12, 2019, attempted robbery of the Richmond Hill T-Mobile store that resulted in the fatal shooting of Simonsen by responding NYPD officers. He was also convicted of third- and fourth-degree grand larceny in connection with a Feb. 8, 2019, cellphone robbery.

"The defendant orchestrated a string of robberies, the last of which involved an imitation weapon and led to the tragic loss of Detective Brian Simonsen and the wounding of Sergeant Matthew Gorman," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. "The jury found the defendant guilty of murder and he will now serve a lengthy time in prison as punishment for his criminal actions. We continue to express our condolences to Detective Simonsen’s family and fellow service members."

The sentence handed down by Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth C. Holder, who presided at Freeman's trial, included 5 years of post-release supervision. 

"I am heartened by the fact that the court gave him the minimum on the felony murder charges and concurring sentences for the incident on Feb. 12," said Freeman's defense attorney Ronald Nir, of Kew Gardens. "I am saddened by the fact that the court gave him the maximum for the incident on Feb. 8 and ran it consecutive to the charges on Feb. 12."

Freeman had rejected an earlier plea deal offer from prosecutors that could have seen him serve 12 years in prison. 

Freeman’s co-defendant, Christopher Ransom, 30, formerly of St. John’s Place in Brooklyn, pleaded guilty in October 2021 to second-degree aggravated manslaughter and first-degree robbery. Ransom was sentenced to 33 years in prison, to be followed by five years’ post release supervision.

NYPD officers who responded to the scene fired 42 shots in about 11 seconds, the NYPD said at the time, killing Simonsen, a 19-year veteran of the NYPD. Simonsen’s supervisor, NYPD Sgt. Matthew Gorman of Seaford, was shot in the left leg but recovered.

Ransom and Freeman arrived at the T-Mobile store on 120th Street in Richmond Hill, Queens, shortly after 6 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2019, authorities have said. Ransom entered the store brandishing a toy gun that appeared to be a black pistol, prosecutors said. Ransom ordered two employees to give up cash and merchandise and pointed his gun – which prosecutors said appeared to be real – at the responding officers, who fired their weapons in response.

By Nicole Fuller

nicole.fuller@newsday.com@NicoleFuller

Nicole Fuller is Newsday's senior criminal justice reporter. She began working at Newsday in 2012 and previously covered local government.