Queens jury acquits brothers accused of attacking off-duty cop in road rage clash

A Queens jury has acquitted two brothers accused of attacking an off-duty cop during a caught-on-camera road rage beatdown, officials said Friday.

It took the jury two hours to find Shawn Rivera, 30, and Edwin Rivera, 35, not guilty of assault, attempted criminal possession of a weapon, and obstructing government administration for the Aug. 30, 2023, brawl involving Police Officer Christopher Campos on Queens Blvd. and 70th St. in Maspeth, their attorney said.

The younger brother was also charged with strangulation for putting Campos in a chokehold, as well as criminal mischief for bashing the off-duty cop’s back window following the motoring mayhem that sparked the violent exchange.

NYPD body-worn camera footage and video taken from a witness showed Campos chasing after the two siblings with a gun, then being beaten up by the brothers during a clash that began with an argument over the Riveras’ minivan blocking a Queens Blvd. service road.

Attorney Lance Lazzaro, who defended the brothers at trial, said Campos acted like a “cowboy, waving his gun around,” and did everything wrong.

“In the end the jury realized cops shouldn’t behave that way,” the attorney said. “They shouldn’t come out acting like a cowboy.”

The Queens District Attorney’s office confirmed the acquittal Friday.

“We respect the jury’s verdict,” Queens DA spokesman said.

When reached Friday, PBA President Pat Hendry said the jury verdict sent “a terrible message to every police officer in this city. It took Campos more than a year to recover from his leg wound, Hendry said.

“The evidence in this case was clear,” Hendry said. “These individuals brazenly attacked our brother, and it is appalling that they will face no consequences for that attack.”

“Cases like this one only serve to reinforce the message that it is open season on police officers, both on and off duty,” he said.

After an exchange of heated words over the blocked roadway, Campos drove off, but the Riveras caught up with him. After an another exchange, Shawn Rivera struck Campos’ back window. Things got even more heated when Campos pulled his gun, identified himself as a police officer and called for backup.

Video from a witness showed that the two brothers apparently didn’t believe Campos was a cop — just a guy with a gun  — and weren’t very intimidated by the firearm.

“You think you’re tough? I’m tougher than you,” Shawn Rivera screamed at Campos as the cop grabbed his T-shirt, hoping to hold him until backup arrived. “You tried to run me over!”

Two shots were fired in the struggle. As Shawn River put him in a chokehold, Campos reached for his weapon, which he had holstered. The brothers also reached for the weapon.

Campos was shot in the leg. Edwin Rivera was struck in the hand by a bullet. He jumped off Campos and sprinted away to the closest hospital, said police. Shawn Rivera had cuts on his hand from where he punched the officer’s window.

At the time of their arrest, police said both brothers have criminal records for assault, menacing, drunk driving, reckless endangerment and driving without a license.

They were also arrested in 2019 for assaulting a man in Greenpoint with a pipe, cops said.