The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has shared body camera footage depicting a tense moment when an officer shot a young man alleged to have been charging at the officer with a knife. The incident has spurred a debate on the necessity of mental health care instead of criminal charges, echoing sentiments expressed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The footage showcases the January 26th event where Jabez Chakraborty, a 22-year-old with a history of mental illness, was apparently holding a large kitchen knife and moving toward officers who had arrived in response to an emergency call from Chakraborty’s family in Queens.
As detailed by the NYPD, the video illustrates officers entering the living room of the home, encountering Chakraborty brandishing a knife. Officers can be heard persistently attempting to defuse the situation, urging him to “put the knife down.” Despite these instructions, Chakraborty continued to advance toward them.
In the footage, a woman is seen trying to intervene by blocking Chakraborty with her arm. However, he persisted in stepping forward with the weapon in hand. The officer, in an attempt to ensure safety, repositioned himself in the home’s vestibule and closed the door to create a barrier.
A controversial call from Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been to consider replacing cops with social workers or ‘transit ambassadors’ for certain emergency situations.
The video further reveals that Chakraborty forced open the door and continued advancing toward the officer. The officer then discharged his firearm, hitting Chakraborty four times. Chakraborty was transported to the hospital, where he remains in stable yet critical condition.
The clip begins with audio from a 911 call made by a civilian witness who reported that Chakraborty was undergoing a mental health episode and had thrown a glass against the wall. The caller asked for EMS, specifically requesting an ambulance so Chakraborty could be taken involuntarily to the hospital.
The matter is under investigation by the Queens District Attorney’s Office, with early reports hinting that prosecutors might pursue attempted murder charges. However, Mayor Mamdani has emphasized the need for mental health treatment for Chakraborty rather than facing criminal prosecution.
“Upon reviewing this footage, it’s clear Jabez requires mental health intervention, not criminal charges,” the mayor stated during a press conference. He added that it’s essential for responders to have various options available, especially for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
The notion of disbanding specific NYPD units and imposing higher taxes on the top 1% amid budget considerations was also touched upon by Mamdani.
Mamdani met with Chakraborty’s family, who criticized his initial response, which expressed gratitude to the police but did not address their concerns adequately. In contrast, the family detailed that rather than calming the situation, the officer escalated it by drawing his weapon and issuing commands.
The family has called for the Queens DA to cease the prosecution against Chakraborty and requested the NYPD release additional body camera footage of the incident. They argue police should not be first responders for medical support calls.
In a statement, Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry remarked that the footage underscores the challenging environment officers faced, having no time or space to de-escalate before they were compelled to act. “The officers handled the situation professionally under dire circumstances,” he asserted.