Dzenan Camovic Charged with Robbery and Firearms Offenses for Violent Attack on NYPD Officers

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment of Dzenan Camovic, a Bosnian national and illegal alien, for his June 3, 2020, knife and firearm attack on multiple NYPD police officers in Brooklyn. Camovic, motivated by his interest in and support for violent Islamist extremism, allegedly stabbed one officer, robbed the officer of his service weapon, and fired the weapon at several NYPD officers. The indictment charges Camovic with Hobbs Act robbery, using and discharging a firearm during that robbery, theft of a firearm that moved in interstate commerce, and unlawful possession of a firearm as an illegal alien.

Key Takeaways:

  • The indictment alleges that Dzenan Camovic, an illegal alien and Bosnian national, launched a premeditated and cowardly ambush against two NYPD officers on June 3, 2020, in Brooklyn.
  • Camovic stabbed one officer in the neck, forcibly took control of the officer's firearm, and fired multiple shots at responding officers, wounding several.
  • The defendant repeatedly yelled "Allahu Akbar" during the attack, indicating his interest in and support for violent Islamist extremism.
  • The charges against Camovic include Hobbs Act robbery, using and discharging a firearm during that robbery, theft of a firearm that moved in interstate commerce, and unlawful possession of a firearm as an illegal alien.
  • The defendant's access to the dark web and use of encrypted communication platforms created evidentiary roadblocks to fully learning his plans and potential co-conspirators.
  • The case is the second violent Islamist extremist attack on U.S. soil in the last nine months where the attacker used encrypted technology to cover their tracks.
  • If convicted, Camovic faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Statistics:

  • On June 3, 2020, Camovic attacked three NYPD officers in Brooklyn, wounding several and nearly ending the lives of two officers.
  • The defendant repeatedly invoked "Allahu Akbar" during the attack, a common Arabic phrase meaning "God is the greatest."
  • The investigation has revealed that Camovic possessed a significant volume of radical jihadist propaganda prior to the attack.
  • The government's case is being handled by the Office's National Security and Cybercrime Section, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Craig R. Heeren, Artie McConnell, and Josh Hafetz in charge of the prosecution.

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Justice, "Defendant Allegedly Stabbed One NYPD Officer, Robbed the Officer of His Service Weapon and Fired the Weapon at Several NYPD Officers"
  • U.S. Department of Justice, "U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr Announces Charges Against Dzenan Camovic for Violent Attack on NYPD Officers"
  • FBI, "FBI Director Christopher A. Wray on the Indictment of Dzenan Camovic for Violent Attack on NYPD Officers"
  • NYPD, "NYPD Commissioner Dermot F. Shea on the Indictment of Dzenan Camovic for Violent Attack on NYPD Officers"