The New York City Police Department released body camera footage of an officer-involved shooting at a subway station in Brooklyn that left multiple people injured, including a suspect, an officer, and several bystanders. The incident occurred at the Sutter Avenue train station in Brownsville and involved Officers Edmund Mays and Alex Wong interacting with the suspect, 37-year-old Derrell Mickles, who entered the station without paying and brandished a knife. Despite attempts to use tasers, officers were unable to stop Mickles as he moved through the train and onto the platform. When Mickles charged toward the officers, they opened fire, with a total of nine shots being fired.
Following the incident, Mickles was indicted on eight counts, including attempted aggravated assault on a police officer, attempted assault and assault, menacing a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, and theft of services. He pleaded not guilty and his bail was set at $250,000, with his next court appearance scheduled for November 20. Criticism arose regarding the officers’ handling of the situation, particularly from the family of a bystander who was shot in the head during the incident. The attorney for the bystander, Gregory Delpeche, claimed that the shooting was reckless and unnecessary, calling for a full investigation into the officers’ actions.
Despite the criticism, the NYPD has defended the officers’ actions, stating that the incident was not about fare evasion but rather involved a person in mental distress armed with a deadly weapon. According to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, officers asked Mickles 38 times to drop the knife before he charged towards them, prompting the officers to discharge their weapons. Chell emphasized the fast-paced and stressful nature of the situation, highlighting the officers’ efforts to protect their own lives and those of the people on the train. The body camera footage reportedly shows Mickles charging at one officer before turning around and facing another officer, leading to both officers firing their weapons.
The release of the body camera footage shed light on the events leading up to the shooting and provided context for the actions taken by the officers during the incident. The footage showed Mickles brandishing a knife and making threatening remarks toward the officers before charging at them, prompting the use of deadly force. While the officers’ actions have been met with criticism, the NYPD maintains that the shooting was a result of the suspect’s behavior and the potential threat he posed to the officers and bystanders. The incident has sparked debate over police response to individuals in mental distress and the use of deadly force in such situations.
In response to the criticism, the NYPD has acknowledged that the situation was challenging and stressful for the officers involved. Chief Chell stated that the officers did their best to protect themselves and others during the incident, despite the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of the situation. The NYPD’s defense of the officers’ actions has been met with skepticism from some, including the family of the injured bystander, who continue to call for a full investigation into the shooting. The incident highlights the complexities of law enforcement responses to individuals in mental distress and raises questions about the use of force in such situations.
