By Christina Santucci
Charges against a Brooklyn teen who allegedly set a fire that led to a Far Rockaway police officer’s death have been upgraded, the Brooklyn district attorney said, three days before the officer’s funeral is to be held in the Rockaways.
Marcell Dockery, 16, was initially charged with two counts of assault, arson and reckless endangerment after Police Officers Dennis Guerra and Rosa Rodriguez were critically injured responding to a blaze in a Coney Island housing development, police said. Guerra died Wednesday morning at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, the NYPD said.
On Friday, Kings County District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson said Dockery had been indicted on a felony murder charge because the teen allegedly caused a death of a person in the course of committing the crime of arson.
Dockery allegedly set a mattress on fire on the 13th floor in the hallway of a high-rise building creating a smoke-filled environment, where Guerra and Rodriguez were both overcome by smoke, the DA said citing court documents.
“Both dedicated and courageous officers did not hesitate to risk their lives to save others. We will bring the defendant to justice for these terrible and horrific crimes,” Thompson said in a statement.
Guerra’s funeral mass is to be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Rose of Lima Church, at 130 Beach 84th St. in Rockaway Beach.
Reach managing editor Christina Santucci by e-mail at timesledgerphotos@gmail.com by phone at 718-260-4589.
