Remarks as delivered by Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill:
We are reminded once again of the dangers our officers face every day as they work to keep New York City safe. Sunday night at approximately 9:50, uniform officers from the 120 precinct responded to a call at a residence for a domestic dispute with an intoxicated person. This individual was brandishing a long blade, as our officers moved in to de-escalate the situation, repeatedly ordering the individual to drop the weapon, he made a move towards them. One of the officers deployed a Taser. The Taser did not stop the threat, and the officers had no choice but to then discharge their weapons, striking the individual. He is deceased. Also struck in the exchange was one of our officers. He is currently in stable condition receiving medical treatment here. The officer's family and colleagues are with him here at the hospital. As I said, this incident is a stark reminder of the dangers and challenges our officers face in the line of duty. It's also a testament to how their training and focus is to de-escalate violence. I wish to thank first responders as well as the doctors and staff at Staten Island University Hospital. Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea will discuss the event further.
Remarks as delivered by Chief of Detectives Dermot F. Shea:
Last night at about 2143 hours, uniformed members of the service assigned to the 120 precinct received a call for a disorderly male intox. The address of occurrence was 30 Bridge Court. A short time later two uniformed members of the 120 Precinct responded. They encountered a male at a side apartment, it’s a multi-dwelling, on the left hand side of this establishment is an alleyway. When they went down that alleyway, eventually they come to a door and they encounter a male armed with a 14-inch knife. The knife consists of a 4-inch wooden handle with a 10-inch blade. When you look at the body cameras, and both officers were equipped with body cameras, and this all very preliminary at this point, you can see the male attempting to get past who we believe is his wife and coming at the officers. You hear multiple times, "shoot me, shoot me, shoot me." During this encounter a Taser was deployed by at least one of the officers. We believe it struck the individual but unfortunately did not cause him to cease his attack. In the ensuing shots we have up to 10-to-12 shots, at this time it's preliminary, that were fired with multiple striking the victim, causing his demise. Also in this exchange of gunfire we had one officer who was struck. He is stable in serious condition.
