Police shot and killed a man who may have been in the midst of a mental health crisis and who swung a large knife at cops late Friday night on Roosevelt Island, according to a briefing police provided reporters shortly after the incident.
At around 11:30 p.m., police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a 21-year-old man was threatening a family member with a knife, according to an account of the incident by NYPD Assistant Chief Christine Bastedenbeck of Patrol Borough Queens North.
One of the man’s family members told 911 operators the man was “off his medication and under the influence of marijuana,” Bastedenbeck said.
Four officers initially responded, with three entering the elevator at 540 Main Street, and one propping open the lobby door of the building to allow for additional backup. The man emerged from a different elevator and approached the officer holding the door, who then retreated outside, police said.
The man then “charged toward the elevator” occupied by the other officers, Bastedenbeck said.
“The officers inside the elevator attempted to deploy a Taser and also discharged their firearms striking the suspect,” she added.
The man, whose name was not initially released, was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital at 12:28 a.m. Saturday, police said.
Bastedenbeck thanked local peace officers for their assistance but it did not appear the officers were accompanied by a mental health professional during the initial incident, which police said lasted only a few minutes.
This is a preliminary account of the fatal shooting, based on police information. We will update this story as more information becomes available.
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