The NYPD has released body camera video from a police-involved shooting last week in Queens amid questions from Mayor Zohran Mamdani over the response.
The parents of 22-year-old Jabez Chakraborty called 911, saying their son was in emotional distress and needed medical attention.
NYPD officers arrived at the home within minutes of the call.
The body camera video released by police on Tuesday, appears to show Chakraborty with a knife, walking toward officers.
Body camera video shows the police-involved shooting last week in Queens.
In the video, you can hear the officer’s calls to drop the knife, repeatedly, before multiple shots are fired.
Immediately after the shooting, police released images of the large kitchen knife that Chakraborty allegedly used to threaten the officers.
On Tuesday, Mayor Mamdani questioned the protocols that led up to the shooting.
“I visited Jabez in the hospital and there is no family should have to endure this kind of pain,” he said. “Jabez has lived with schizophrenia for many years, and this situation underscores just how urgently we need a different and more effective mental health response system that will be safer for New Yorkers who struggle with mental health concerns, for their families and for police officers. Jabez needs mental health treatment, not criminal prosecution by a district attorney.”
The young man’s family is furious.
“We are shocked and outraged,” Chakraborty’s family said in a statement. “We called 911 for an ambulance to provide medical attention for our son, who was in emotional distress. We did not call the police. Instead of medical responders, the NYPD arrived and shot our son multiple times right in front of us.”
The mayor was not critical on Tuesday, specifically, of the first responders, but suggested that the appearance of the officers might have escalated the situation.
“That is why I proposed creating a Department of Community Safety to build a mental health system rooted in prevention and sustained care in real crisis response, so officers no longer have to handle these situations alone,” Mamdani said. “As I’ve said, when there is a violent situation, such as with a weapon, NYPD will be on the scene.”
Former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce weighed in.
“If you’re going to send only medical professionals there, understand there’s a changing dynamic quickly they can pick up a weapon and charge at them,” he said. “What are they going to do then? How are they going to defend themselves? That’s why the police have to go to these things. Now, if you want to pair them up with a medical professional, that’s fine.”
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