Mineola, NY - June 9, 2015 - Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Brooklyn man was sentenced today for shooting a Nassau police officer who responded to a home invasion in New Hyde Park in August 2013.

Cong Xu, 22, of Brooklyn, was sentenced to 30 years in prison by Acting Nassau Supreme Court Justice Philip Grella. Xu pleaded guilty in April to Assault in the 1st Degree (a B violent felony) and Burglary in the 1st Degree (a B violent felony).

“Police Officer Arora was shot and seriously injured while doing a dangerous job that thousands of other officers do every day – protecting and serving our communities,” Acting DA Singas said. “On behalf of the people of Nassau County, I give my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to Officer Arora and to his brothers and sisters in uniform for their commitment to keeping us safe.”

Acting DA Singas said that on Aug. 14, 2013, homeowners at a residence on Campbell Street in New Hyde Park called 911 to report a burglary in their home. Members of the Nassau County Police Department responding to the home then confronted Xu as he fled the residence. As Xu ran away from the officers, he turned and fired several rounds from a handgun. One of the bullets struck NCPD Officer Mohit Arora in the lower abdomen.

Officer Arora was transported to North Shore Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Xu was apprehended by police on Flower Lane and Nugent Street.

Xu’s co-defendant, Renhang Qiu, 24, of Brooklyn, who aided and abetted Xu in the home burglary, was apprehended by police on Lakeville Road and Sylvia Lane. Qiu pleaded guilty in May 2014 to Burglary in the 1st Degree before Justice Grella, who gave the defendant a sentencing commitment of seven years in prison. He is due back in court for sentencing on June 19.

Assistant District Attorney Christine Geier of Acting DA Singas’ Major Offense Bureau is prosecuting the case. Xu is represented by Scott Tulman, Esq.; Qiu is represented by Steven Losquadro, Esq.