The NYPD continues to investigate the death of Officer Randolph Holder as the city mourns his death.

Authorities say that Holder, 33, and his partner responded to a call of shots fired at around 8:30 p.m. Witnesses told the officers that a group of men had run away using a pedestrian path, and another witness told officers a man had stolen his bicycle at gunpoint.

They say Holder and another officer confronted the armed man at East 120th Street and FDR Drive, where there was a gunfight and chase. Holder was shot in the head and pronounced dead two hours later.

NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton says he is frustrated with the criminal justice system.

"It is a very vivid and very tragic reminder that, even as we in this country attempt to reduce the number of people in prison, that there are some people that have to be in prison. We need to work harder to ensure that they get to prison," says Bratton.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the incident is just the latest example of needless violence.

"It's just another episode of what has become all too familiar and all too frequent: a loss of life, needlessly, by gun violence that is just out of control in this city and in this nation. And it is only getting worse," says Cuomo.

NYPD officials say they're still sorting through the evidence collected from the crime scene, which spanned almost 20 blocks.

The police currently have Tyrone Howard in custody at the 25th Precinct, where he continues to be questioned by investigators.

The chief of detectives says Howard was a wanted suspect who investigators have been actively pursuing since Sept. 1. They believe he was involved in a shooting of a gang member. Howard will undergo a lineup before facing robbery and possible murder charges.