Cong Xu, who pleaded guilty in February to the 2013 shooting of Nassau County police officer Mohit Arora during a home invasion in New Hyde Park, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Tuesday.
Xu, 22, had pleaded guilty to assault in the first degree and burglary in the first degree, both B felonies, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.
He had been facing charges of first-degree burglary, first-degree attempted robbery, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree attempted murder of a police officer.
According to the DA’s office, Xu was fleeing from a burglary in New Hyde Park when he shot Nassau County police officer Mohit Arora in the groin.
Arora, who was 32 years old and a six-year veteran of the force, and another officer were responding to a 911 call by the homeowners of 241 Campbell St. to report a burglary in their home, police said at the time.
According to the district attorney’s office, the officers confronted Xu as he fled the premises. As Xu ran away from the officers, he turned and fired several shots from a handgun, hitting Arora in the lower abdomen.
“Police Officer Arora was shot and seriously injured while doing a dangerous job that thousands of other officers do every day — protecting and serving our communities,” Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a statement following the sentencing. “On behalf of the people of Nassau County, I give my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to Officer Arora and to his brothers and sisters in uniform for their commitment to keeping us safe.”
At a press conference outside the court, Arora said he felt “so fortunate to be alive.”
“He got what he deserved, and I just want to move on with my life at this time,” Arora said. “It was a traumatic experience, and I learned a lot from this.”
Arora said he is back on full duty but is still undergoing physical therapy.
Xu did not speak at the sentencing, but his attorney said Xu was remorseful. Acting Nassau Supreme Court Justice Philip Grella delivered the sentence.
A second suspect, Renhang Qiu, 23, also of Brooklyn, who the district attorney’s office said “aided and abetted Xu in the home burglary,” pleaded guilty in May to burglary in the first degree and received a sentencing commitment from Grella of seven years in prison, according to the DA’s office. He is due in court for sentencing on June 19.
Both suspects were caught following a search that included the use of a police helicopter.
Police said Xu was apprehended on Flower Lane and Nugent Street. Qui was caught on Lakeville Road at Sylvia Lane.
The owners of the Campbell Street home, Michael and Annie Chen, called 911 after they were awakened by a noise downstairs.
Shortly thereafter, the Chens were confronted by Xu, who brandished a 9-millimeter handgun, police said.
Xu had entered the home through the basement window, police said.
