BREAKING: A police shooting in Queens has left one man dead after he allegedly charged at officers with a box cutter. The incident occurred at approximately 12:25 a.m. on December 21, inside an apartment building located at 1170 Nameoke St. in Far Rockaway.
Officers from the 101st Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding a domestic dispute involving a father and his son. Upon arrival, officers met with the father and mother, entering the apartment to locate the 29-year-old son, but he was not initially found.
As officers were exiting the apartment with the parents, the son was spotted in the hallway, brandishing a box cutter. NYPD Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera stated, “The officers gave multiple verbal commands to the male to drop the weapon as they attempted to deescalate the situation, but he did not comply.”
In a shocking escalation, the father retreated behind the officers just as the son charged at them with the weapon. One officer deployed a Taser, while another discharged their firearm, striking the suspect. Emergency services were called immediately, and the suspect was transported to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The officers involved in the shooting were evaluated at a local hospital and reported unharmed. Chief Rivera emphasized the dangers police face daily, stating, “This incident once again demonstrates how a routine call can quickly escalate into an extremely dangerous situation.”
The NYPD Force Investigation Division is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. This incident raises significant concerns about the safety of both officers and civilians in high-tension situations.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities will provide updates on the findings and any further developments related to this tragic event. This situation highlights the urgent need for effective de-escalation tactics in law enforcement, as the community grapples with the implications of such encounters.
