STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The man shot and killed by NYPD officers in Manhattan on Thursday night was living with his parents on Staten Island at the time of his death, according to multiple media reports.
Police identified the man as Dmitriy Zass, 37, of Great Kills. NYPD officials said Zass was fatally wounded after he was involved in a car crash and then pointed an imitation gun at responding officers.
Based on information from unnamed officials, the New York Daily News reported that Zass had a physical altercation with his father that brought police to the home on Monday, and ABC7 reported that his parents were pursuing an order of protection. Both outlets reported that no charges were filed in the Monday incident.
A man at Zass’ home declined to speak to the Advance/SILive.com on Saturday, but a neighbor said she was heartbroken to hear of his death.
“He was a really nice boy,” said the neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous. “As a matter of fact, he took care of our dog for a whole week for us, and he walked him every day. I had many conversations with him. Great kid. I don’t know what happened.”
The neighbor said she’d known the family since they’d moved in around 20 years ago.
The events of Thursday that led to Zass’ shooting death are under investigation, but police’s preliminary account was shared by Assistant Chief James McCarthy, commanding officer of Patrol Borough Manhattan South, during a press conference late Thursday night.
According to McCarthy, at approximately 10:53 p.m., officers on foot patrol were flagged down by two individuals in the vicinity of Bedford Street and 6th Avenue in the West Village.
Those individuals informed police that they were involved in a collision with a BMW that attempted to flee the scene.
The imitation firearm recovered from the scene of the shooting of Dmitriy Zass, 37, in Manhattan’s West Village on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.(Courtesy of the NYPD)
That BMW was stuck in traffic when officers approached, the chief said. It was then that a man, later identified as Zass, allegedly stepped out of the BMW and pointed what appeared to be a firearm at the officers, prompting them to shoot.
It was later determined that Zass was holding an imitation gun, a Sig Sauer air pistol that was recovered at the scene, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Despite repeated commands from officers to drop the weapon, Zass maintained possession of the air pistol after being shot and said nothing, McCarthy said.
Officers immediately requested EMS to transport Zass to an area hospital, McCarthy added. It was at the hospital that Zass was pronounced deceased at 11:17 p.m.
The two officers involved in the shooting were taken to an area hospital for evaluation, police said.
ABC7 reported a witness said he saw the BMW driving on Sixth Avenue, “the wrong way, with its bumper dragging on the ground, around this corner, pursued by a minivan. Stopped at that stop sign, then backed into the minivan.”
Official response
On Friday, Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation announced it was opening an investigation into Zass’ death.
James’ office said law requires the Office of Special Investigation to assess “every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer…may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani took a seemingly cautious approach in his response to Zass’ death, as well as a second police-involved shooting on Thursday, waiting until Friday morning to post on X.
“Last night’s shootings at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and in the West Village are devastating to all New Yorkers,” he wrote. “I know many are eager for answers. The NYPD is conducting an internal investigation—I will work with Commissioner Tisch to ensure this is as through and swift as possible.”
When asked Friday why he hadn’t commented sooner, Mamdani said he wanted to be intentional in the way he communicated to New Yorkers about the incident.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch posted Friday on X, “Every day, the men and women of the NYPD put their lives on the line to protect New Yorkers. Last night (Thursday) was no different. Officers were engaged in two police-involved shootings, and there is every indication that their actions were nothing short of heroic.”
Owen Reiter contributed reporting for this article.