New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) today released its report on the death of Lashawn McNeil, who killed two members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), on January 21, 2022 in Harlem. The OSI was required to conduct this investigation pursuant to New York State Executive Law 70-b. The investigation, which included review of body-worn camera (BWC) footage, crime scene evidence, medical examiner reports, and witness interviews, concluded that the officer who shot Mr. McNeil was legally justified in his use of deadly force, as Mr. McNeil had just killed two of his fellow officers and was approaching him and two civilians.
In the early evening of January 21, 2022, Mr. McNeil’s mother called 911 to report an ongoing domestic dispute with her son. Shortly after, three officers responded to the residence where Mr. McNeil lived with his mother and brother. His mother answered the door and confirmed she called 911, and told the officers that Mr. McNeil was at the back of the apartment. Two officers walked down the hallway towards the back of the apartment while the third officer remained in the front room.
When the first officer got to the doorway of a bedroom in the back of the apartment, Mr. McNeil emerged and shot him at close range. The first officer fell to the ground and the second officer retreated to the front room while exchanging gunfire with Mr. McNeil. Mr. McNeil’s shots struck the second officer, who then fell to the ground as well. The third officer, who had taken cover in the kitchen with Mr. McNeil’s mother and brother, emerged and shot Mr. McNeil as he came into the front room from the hallway. The first and second officers and Mr. McNeil were transported to a local hospital, where they were each pronounced dead.
The OAG offers sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of Detectives Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera, who were tragically killed in the line of duty during this encounter.
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