What Happened to Eric Duprey?

Eric Duprey, a 30-year-old father of three and delivery driver, was killed on August 23, 2023, in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx. During an NYPD narcotics sting operation, Duprey, who police alleged had sold drugs to an undercover officer, attempted to flee on a motorized scooter. NYPD Sergeant Erik Duran, who was not in uniform, threw a picnic cooler filled with ice and drinks at Duprey, striking him and causing him to lose control, crash into a tree, and then under a parked car. Duprey, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered fatal blunt force trauma to the head and died almost instantly.

The incident immediately sparked outrage and calls for justice, particularly from Duprey's family and community activists, including Black Lives Matter of Greater New York. Surveillance video of the incident was released by the New York Attorney General's office, which took over the investigation. Sergeant Duran was suspended without pay shortly after the incident, an unusually swift disciplinary action by the NYPD. In January 2024, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and assault charges against Duran. Duran pleaded not guilty and opted for a bench trial, meaning a judge rather than a jury would decide the case.

The trial began in January 2026, drawing significant attention with both police supporters and accountability activists present outside the courthouse. Duran testified in his own defense, claiming he was trying to protect other officers from Duprey, who he alleged was speeding towards them. However, prosecutors argued that Duran's actions were reckless, unreasonable, and unnecessary, stating he was trying to "save an arrest," not lives. On February 6, 2026, Judge Guy Mitchell found Erik Duran guilty of second-degree manslaughter, dismissing the assault count and not delivering a verdict on the criminally negligent homicide charge as he had already found Duran guilty of the more serious manslaughter charge. This conviction marked the first time in years an NYPD officer was tried for killing someone while on duty and found guilty.

Following his conviction, Duran was dismissed from the NYPD, as mandated by state law. On April 9, 2026, Erik Duran was sentenced to three to nine years in prison. Prosecutors had sought this sentence, emphasizing that he recklessly caused Duprey's death while on duty. Duprey's mother, Gretchen Soto, who was on a video call with him shortly before his death, has consistently disputed police claims that her son sold drugs and fled from officers, stating that her son "is not just a name, not just one more case." The case has been a significant moment for police accountability in New York City.