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The incident took place around 6:50 a.m., Sunday, March 21.
Shortly after, Long Beach Police officers responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Ocean Beach Park and Franklin Avenue in Long Beach.
An investigation found that one a group of four people walking off the beach, identified as NYPD Officer David Afanador, age 39, of Long Beach, was in possession of a loaded pistol and fired several rounds into the ocean, said Detective Lieutenant Stefan Chernaski of the Long Beach Police Department.
He then allegedly handed the pistol to Jennifer Sonnick, age 36, also of Long Beach, who also fired shots into the ocean, Chernaski said.
Afanador, who was suspended in June without pay for allegedly using an illegal chokehold is not authorized to possess or carry firearms, officials said.
He was arrested and charged with:
- Criminal possession of a weapon second-degree
- Three counts of possession of a weapon, third-degree
- Prohibited use of a firearm
- Possession of alcohol on Ocean Beach Park
Sonnick was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and prohibited use of a weapon.
Both are in the custody of police and will be arraigned in Long Beach on Monday, March 22.
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