The New York Islanders are facing criticism after soliciting donations during a home game for the defense fund of a police officer convicted of second-degree manslaughter.
The team shared a QR code on the UBS Arena jumbotron during their Tuesday, April 14, loss to the Carolina Hurricanes for fans to donate directly to NYPD Sgt. Erick Duran’s legal fund. He was sentenced on April 9 to three to nine years in prison for his involvement in the death of Eric Duprey.
Duprey, 30, was fleeing a drug bust on his moped when Duran, 38, threw a full Igloo cooler at him, causing him to crash into a tree. A judge found that Duran’s use of lethal force was not justifiable.
“This is all about Erik’s family,” NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association head Vincent Vallelong told the New York Post in a story published Tuesday. “Whatever it takes to get him out, is exactly what it is everyone on this board believes and everybody in law enforcement is going to do at this point. The message is that basically, this is going to affect law enforcement across the nation. They all feel that this can happen in their cities.”
In addition to the QR code, fans also had the option of participating in the arena’s 50/50 raffle, with a portion of the proceeds going to the fund. The Post reports that as of Tuesday morning, before the Islanders game, Duran’s defense had raised $40,000.
The incident was captured on security footage and made publicly available by the New York State attorney general’s office. It shows a man, presumably Duprey, fleeing the bust on his moped when another unidentifiable man, presumably Duran, throws the cooler at his head from a short distance while Duprey drives by.
Duran argued in court that he threw the cooler to prevent Duprey from harming other officers, while prosecutors alleged that his intention was to keep Duprey from fleeing.
Islanders fans have since begun weighing in on social media, with opinions both for and against the fundraiser.
“Good to know the Islanders are pro-manslaughter,” wrote one person.
“The Islanders should remain neutral on matters like this,” another added.
One account in favor of the fundraiser noted, “Good job Islanders for standing up for what’s right and help a cop who was put in jail for arresting drug dealers.”
Duran is currently being held in protective custody at Rikers Island. He is expected to be transferred to a state facility.
The Islanders have said they will not comment on the fundraiser, according to Hudson Valley News 12.
