JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CORRECTION: While thanking JSO on Sunday, NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Niell misread the arrest warrant and said the suspect was charged with the murder of an NYPD officer, according to an NYPD spokesperson. The NYPD spokesperson clarified on Monday that the retired officer is alive. The charge is now attempted murder. These changes have been reflected in the story below.
The commissioner for the New York City Police Department credited the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the United States Marshals Service on Sunday for capturing a Jacksonville rapper accused of the attempted murder of a police officer back in 1999.
Lester Pearson, 43, is accused of attempting to kill off-duty NYPD Officer Vincent Ling back in 1999, according to NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Niell.
O'Niell initially said on Sunday that Ling had died and that Pearson was charged with his murder, but an NYPD spokesperson clarified on Monday that Ling is alive and that the charge is attempted murder.
"Retired Police Officer Ling, who was shot in 1999, is alive," the spokesperson said. "A misreading of the attempted murder charge on Pearson’s arrest warrant led to the confusion about his death."
Pearson was arrested on Friday during an early morning raid, police said.
Officers said Pearson went by the name Michael Davis and was known as the rapper Monsta Kodi. He lived off of Broad Creek Lane in NW Jacksonville, police said. It is unknown on how long Pearson lived in Jacksonville before his arrest.
Pearson was wanted in several states including New York for murder and Louisiana for battery on a law enforcement officer and possession of marijuana.
Pearson is currently in the Duval County Jail and his bond has been set at $40,006, according to the JSO website.
Pearson's next court appearance is Friday, March 29.
