Officer on Bloomberg bodyguard team charged in shooting
New York mayor Michael Bloomberg addresses the Wall Street Journal CEO Council in Washington. (Nov. 16, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
A police detective assigned to Mayor Michael Bloomberg's bodyguard team appeared before a judge Friday for allegedly shooting his girlfriend's former boyfriend, Queens prosecutors said.
Det. Leopold McLean, a 17-year veteran on the force, was released on bail after his arraignment on charges of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, first- and second-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Prosecutors say the shooting happened after McLean, off duty, demanded that the former boyfriend, Lepaul Gammons, explain why he was near the woman's home, close to 119th Road and 153rd Street, shortly after midnight on Nov. 15.
McLean, 46, then pointed a handgun as Gammons, 39, tried to run, prosecutors said. Gammons heard gunfire and felt a shot in his buttocks, police said. The confrontation ended when Gammons got away by climbing over a fence to hide behind a home, prosecutors said.
Ballistic tests on a bullet found in a nearby fence post revealed the bullet came from the Kahr 9-mm Luger registered to McLean, the office of Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said.
The detective's defense attorney, Gilbert C. Parris of Brooklyn, said the woman had an order of protection against Gammons and said of his client: "He's innocent of all charges."
A law enforcement source said there had been a history of domestic disturbances between Gammons and the woman.
McLean has been suspended without pay. He had worked in a unit that conducts security inspections at sites the mayor is scheduled to visit.
