In October 2021, the city of Brooklyn witnessed a crime that stunned both the city and the whole country.
Yvonne Wu, a former respected NYPD officer, went from being a protector to a perpetrator in a deadly love triangle.
This tragic situation led to one woman's death and left another seriously injured.
What drove a decorated officer to commit such an unspeakable act?
| Yvonne Wu |
The Calm Before the Storm: Who Was Yvonne Wu?
Yvonne Wu was a five-year veteran of the NYPD’s 72nd Precinct in Sunset Park.
She was described as calm, composed, and dedicated to her work.
However, behind the scenes, Wu was dealing with severe emotional problems.
Wu was involved in an intense and passionate relationship with Jenny Li, a 23-year-old from Brooklyn.
The couple had been together for two years when Jenny Li told Wu she was no longer interested.
Friends and colleagues of Wu noticed changes in her behavior because of her troubled relationship.
They said she became more withdrawn and possessive, unable to accept the end of her relationship with Li.
Jenny Li moved on and found new love with Jamie Liang, a 24-year-old dental student at NYU.
Wu was unhappy and overwhelmed, and this new relationship was more than she could handle.
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| Jamie Liang |
The Fateful Night: A Deadly Encounter in Brooklyn
On the evening of October 13, 2021, Yvonne Wu was off duty, and that was when trouble started.
She drove to Jenny Li’s apartment to confront her and her new lover.
Wu was armed with her NYPD-issued Glock 19 and ready for the confrontation.
After she arrived, Wu waited outside Jenny Li's apartment for hours, consumed by thoughts of revenge.
When Jenny Li and Jamie Liang finally arrived at the apartment, Wu ambushed them.
She fired multiple shots, hitting Jamie Liang in the chest and Jenny Li in the torso.
Liang died at the scene, while Li survived the attack with serious injuries.
When the police arrived at the scene, she confessed to the shooting.
She said, “I told you not to mess with me. That’s what you get.”
Her words, cold and without any remorse, shocked the responding officers.
Unmasking the Motive: The Path to Obsession
As investigators looked into Wu’s past, a troubling picture started to come to light.
They discovered that the breakup with Jenny Li had really devastated Wu.
However, instead of moving on, she became fixated on her ex-girlfriend’s new relationship.
Wu’s behavior in the weeks leading up to the crime was erratic and alarming.
She had been stalking Jenny Li and tracking all of her movements.
Wu even showed up unannounced at her apartment multiple times before the fatal shooting.
Friends of Jenny Li described Wu as controlling and possessive.
They claimed these traits had strained their relationship long before the breakup.
The NYPD, however, failed to recognize the signs of Wu’s deteriorating mental state.
Despite her increasing instability, she was allowed to keep her service weapon—a decision that would prove fatal.
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| Jamie Liang |
Seeking Justice: The Trial That Gripped the Nation
Yvonne Wu was charged with first-degree manslaughter and second-degree attempted murder, crimes that could have led to a life sentence.
In June 2024, Wu pleaded guilty to the charges as part of a plea deal.
As a result, she was sentenced to 27 years in prison instead of a life sentence.
This sentence consisted of 22 years for the manslaughter of Jamie Liang and an additional five years for the attempted murder of Jenny Li.
Jamie Liang’s family were heartbroken by the loss of their beloved daughter, and watched as justice was served.
Jenny Li, the surviving victim, faced her own battle.
The physical and emotional scars from that night would remain with her forever
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| Yvonne Wu |
The Aftermath: A City Seeks Accountability
The trial of Yvonne Wu may have concluded, but the case was far from over.
The NYPD faced scrutiny for their handling of Wu’s case after the trial.
Many were questioning why she was allowed to keep her service weapon despite clear signs of instability.
In 2022, Jamie Liang’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Wu and the city of New York.
The lawsuit alleged that the NYPD had failed to act on the warning signs that Wu was “psychologically unfit and a danger to others.”
The family’s lawyer, Sanford Rubenstein, argued that the department’s negligence had directly contributed to Liang’s death.
The lawsuit is still pending, with Liang’s family determined to hold the city accountable for their loss.
In another case, a fatal confrontation over a text message resulted in one man's death.
Click here to see the full details of this case.
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