NYPD investigating after 3 officers were ‘intentionally poisoned’ in Manhattan

The New York Police Department is investigating whether three of its officers were poisoned after drinking milkshakes on Monday night at a Shake Shack restaurant in Manhattan.

The officers complained of “not feeling well” before being hospitalized and later released, the NYPD said in a statement, and Shake Shack said via Twitter that it was “horrified” and working with police.

“At this time, the incident is part of an active and ongoing investigation to determine if this was accidental or intentional in nature,” the NYPD statement said.

The Detectives’ Endowment Association, the labor union that represents 20,000 active and retired New York City Detectives, condemned the incident as an attack on police, claiming on Twitter that the officers were “intentionally poisoned by one or more workers.”

“Police in New York City and across the country are under attack by vicious criminals who dislike us simply because of the uniform we wear,” DEA President Paul DiGiacomo said in a statement. “Emboldened by pandering elected officials, these cowards will go to great lengths to harm any member of law enforcement.”

The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York said on Twitter, “When NYC police officers cannot even take a meal without coming under attack, it is clear that the environment in which we work has deteriorated to a critical level. We cannot afford to let our guard down for even a moment.”

In a statement, the PBA added, “All PBA members are advised to carefully inspect any prepared food items they purchase while on duty for possible contamination.”

The incident comes amid ongoing national protests against police brutality, spurred by the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25, and rising calls for police reform or defunding.