STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he was alarmed to learn of allegations that a Staten Island teenager was injured during a confrontation with police, and he has pledged to follow up on the case.
“That is alarming,” said Mamdani, who was asked by an Advance/SILive.com reporter about the incident Wednesday. “That’s something that I’ll follow up on. We’ll get back to you.”
The NYPD is conducting an internal review of the Oct. 7 incident, and a complaint has been filed with the Civilian Complaint Review Board, which conducts independent reviews, according to a spokesperson for the mayor’s office.
“The mayor expects members of the NYPD to treat all New Yorkers with dignity and respect, and he takes allegations of misconduct seriously,” the spokesperson said.
The CCRB confirmed it has opened a case related to the incident, but would not comment further citing an open complaint.
[Editor’s note: This video contains profane language]
According to the teenager and his father, it was around 5:30 p.m. when officers approached a group of students walking on Wall Street near Stuyvesant Place in St. George.
Things escalated into a physical altercation at which point, the father said, an officer punched his son in the face. The 17-year-old student is a member of Curtis High School varsity football team and had recently left practice when the incident unfolded.
The teenager lost a tooth and suffered other injuries to his face as a result of the encounter, said his father Darian Lewis, who submitted photos to the Advance/SILive.com.
The teen’s father said his son has to wait until he turns 18 in May before he can receive dental implants to repair the injury.Courtesy of Darian Lewis
“He’s a good kid, plays football and he hasn’t been in trouble with the law at all,” Lewis said.
The teen reportedly was taken to the 120th Precinct, then to Richmond University Medical Center for treatment.
He was later issued a juvenile report for disorderly conduct and released to his parents, according to his family.
The teen’s father said his son has to wait until he turns 18 in May before he can receive dental implants to repair the injury.
“That’s lifetime damage,” Lewis said. “So he’s gotta walk around like that.”
Four of the teen’s teammates were also taken into custody during the incident, the father said.
An 18-year-old Curtis High School football player who was also arrested in the melee alleged the officers ignored the 17-year-old’s cries for help.
“I turned around to see his mouth leaking. They got him on the floor,” the 18-year-old said. “He’s like, get off me… he’s just standing there, just leaking blood, and they’re not caring.”
An NYPD spokesperson provided the following statement to the Advance/SILive.com:
“The incident is under internal review. A 17-year-old male was taken into custody and then transported to the 120 Precinct. At the precinct, an ambulance was called and he was transported to an area hospital where he received medical treatment. Following the medical treatment, he was transported back to the 120 Precinct where he was released to his mother.”