BRIARWOOD, Queens (WABC) — A man was charged after allegedly grabbing a large knife and charging at police officers called to his Queens home in a police shooting last month – despite Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s opinion that criminal charges were not warranted.
Jabez Chakraborty was indicted on one count of first-degree attempted assault, and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was held on $50,000 cash bail.
The incident happened on Jan. 26, when Chakraborty’s sister called 911 for an involuntary transportation when he lunged at them a with a kitchen knife and was shot multiple times by police.
Prosecutors quoted his sister in court, telling police he “could have murdered” her, parents and grandparents. Prosecutors said they wanted him remanded and an order protection issued for the family, which was denied.
Defense attorneys said says “his body was shredded” by police gunfire. He was shot twice in the abdomen, which is still open, twice in chest and twice in groin.
“He cannot stand, he cannot walk. He is connected to tubes to keep him alive,” defense attorneys said.
Chakraborty sobbed in his hospital bed at Jamaica Hospital’s ICU when the charges were read. He was visibly wiping his eyes, with someone comforting him.
He was diagnosed with schizophrenia two years ago, according to the defense, and called the decision to charge him as “inhumane.”
After meeting with Chakraborty and his family in the hospital following the shooting, the mayor said he did not believe the 22-year-old man should be charged.
Mamdani said Chakraborty “should not be prosecuted” and “his handcuffs should be removed.”
Mamdani questioned the protocols that led up to the shooting. He said Chakraborty needed “mental health treatment, not prosecution by a district attorney.”
“Moments like this lay bare what so many New Yorkers already know. Our city must build a mental health response that is rooted in prevention and compassion and crisis care,” he said. “That is the focus of our administration and these are my thoughts of what Jabez needs at this moment.”
Mamdani said he has not spoken directly with the district attorney, but said, “no family should have to endure this kind of pain.”
Despite Mamdani’s plea, the Queens District Attorney’s Office moved forward with prosecution on Friday.
Although Chakraborty was not immediately charged following the shooting, a police official at the time said body-worn camera appears to show officers followed their training and attempted assault of a police officer and menacing charges would be appropriate.
Chakraborty faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
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