Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of JOSHUA DORSETT, 22, for shooting two police officers after robbing a group of people at gunpoint on Canal Street in August 2024. DORSETT is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, two counts of Assault in the First Degree, one count of Aggravated Assault Upon a Police Officer, among other charges. [1] 

“As alleged, Joshua Dorsett shot two NYPD officers while fleeing from the scene of the armed robbery where he targeted a group of people playing mahjong. Every day, the brave members of the NYPD risk their lives to protect New Yorkers and Joshua Dorsett’s alleged actions could have killed these responding officers,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I thank the NYPD for their constant partnership as we work together to keep Manhattan safe. I hope Sergeants Carl Johnson and Christopher Leap continue to heal from this horrific attack.” 

“An attack on those responsible for upholding our laws is an attack on society itself,” stated NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “This indictment serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that NYPD police officers face every day while working to combat the proliferation of illegal guns on the streets of New York City. And as this crucial work continues, we remain committed to closely collaborating with the Manhattan district attorney’s office to ensure that those who endanger the peace and security of New Yorkers are held fully accountable.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on August 1, 2024, at approximately 4:00 p.m., DORSETT held a group of approximately 20 individuals at gunpoint while they were gathered inside a building on Canal Street playing a game of mahjong. 

DORSETT held a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol as he entered the room, pointing it directly at several individuals, as he went around the room stealing several purses, a bookbag, and cash, among other belongings. 

After leaving the building, DORSETT went into a clothing store where he attempted to purchase a change of clothes to disguise his appearance. He was unable to buy anything and eventually fled. 

Once police officers located DORSETT and tried to arrest him, he ran away from the police while clutching the gun in his right pants pocket. 

When DORSETT was stopped, he refused the officers’ command to give them his right hand, instead clinging to the gun inside his pocket. 

Before being handcuffed, DORSETT fired the gun in his pocket, striking two of the officers attempting to arrest him. The bullet went into the upper leg of one officer, leaving behind a significant bullet fragment, before striking and injuring a second officer. 

Assistant D.A. Mireille Dee (Deputy Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 70) is handling the prosecution of this case with Assistant D.A. John Johnsen (Trial Bureau 70) under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s David Hammer (Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 70), Christopher Prevost (Deputy Chief of the Trial Division), and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Sergeant Carl Johnson of the 5th Precinct, Sergeant Christopher Leap of the 7th Precinct, Detective Michael Fahmy, of the 5th Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Scott Williams, of the Manhattan South Homicide Squad. 

Defendant Information: 

JOSHUA DORSETT 

New York, NY 

Charged:

• Attempted Murder in the First Degree, a class A-I felony, two counts
• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, two counts
• Aggravated Assault Upon a Police Officer, a class B felony, one count
• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, five counts
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, four counts 

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.