On June 8, 2024, a male subject attempted to rob a check-cashing store in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn's 83 Precinct. The subject, armed with a firearm, forced his way behind the counter, and initially took three females hostage. Things went wrong for the subject when one of the female hostages escaped, combined with a rapid response by patrol units.

Colin Sullivan joined the NYPD in 2011 and began his career on patrol in the Midtown South Precinct In 2013, Sullivan was assigned to the 6th Precinct in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, ultimately serving as the Assistant Field Intelligence Officer for the 6th Precinct. In 2018, Sullivan was assigned to the Intelligence Division International/Domestic Liaison Unit Operation Sentry Program. Sentry is a nationwide domestic network of trusted law enforcement partners amongst more than 400 law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. In 2020, Sullivan was promoted to Detective, and in 2021, he was selected to the 28th class of the NYPD Hostage Negotiation Team. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant 2022. Sullivan was assigned to the 1st Precinct in Lower Manhattan and was designated as the Field Intelligence Sergeant for the 1st Precinct. In 2024, Sullivan was transferred to the NYPD's Hostage Negotiation Team. He currently serves as the team's Assistant Coordinator, responsible for supervising HNT requests for service, assisting in the recruitment of new negotiators and the training of active team members, and organizing the team's annual negotiator conference.

Lieutenant Michael Tomao was sworn into the New York City Police Department in January of 2006. He began his career in the 44th Precinct. As a Police Officer, Tomao also served in the 49th Precinct, and was assigned to the precinct Anti-Crime Team and the Precinct Detective Squad. In 2012, Tomao was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and was assigned to the 40th Precinct. While there, he served as the precinct's Anti-Crime Team Supervisor. In 2014, Tomao would go on to serve in the 45th & 43rd Precinct Detective Squads, respectively. In 2018, Tomao was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and was assigned to the 47th Precinct. Shortly after, Tomao was transferred to the 44th Precinct Detective Squad, and was designated the Squad Commander. In 2020, Tomao was transferred to the Detective Bureau Special Investigations Division, and was designated as the Commanding Officer of the Hostage Negotiation Team. He is the 9th Commanding Officer in the history of the team. In 2025, Tomao was promoted to Lieutenant Commander Detective Squad. He commands a team that responded to nearly 700 requests for service in 2024. During his tenure as Commanding Officer, Tomao has recruited and trained over 160 new negotiators.