Brooklyn Subway Shooting Response
Protest Erupts at Brooklyn Subway Station
Nearly 20 people were arrested in a protest that spawned at a Brooklyn subway station where four people were shot, including two bystanders, when NYPD officers opened fire during a confrontation with an alleged fare-beater over the weekend, authorities said Wednesday.
Background of the Incident
All but one of the 18 cuffed were given summonses and released. One person remained in custody with charges pending. It wasn’t clear if any officers were hurt in the fray on Sutter Avenue in Brownsville. A group called Swipe It Forward, which advocates for universal transportation, promoted the protest, according to Gothamist.
Details of the Shooting
The protesters eventually took their action to the streets of Brownsville, joining in chants against the police department. The demonstration came after prosecutors said they intended to charge the alleged fare-beater at the center of Sunday’s shooting. They claimed he lunged at officers with a knife, and officers opened fire. He was hit several times and was last said to be in stable condition. Two other people, a 49-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, were hit.
Victims and Their Conditions
The man, identified as Gregory Delpeche, was hit in the head as he headed to work at Woodhull Hospital and remained in critical condition as of Tuesday, Gothamist reported. The 26-year-old suffered a graze wound. A police officer was also shot in the armpit.
Attorney’s Reaction
"This unnecessary tragedy could have been avoided had they deployed proper deescalation measures," said Nick Liakas, the attorney for the family of Delpeche. The attorneys said Delpeche continues to improve at the hospital; the other three injured in the confrontation, including the suspect, were expected to recover.
NYPD’s Response
New York City Mayor Eric Adams sees it differently. "I know people would say that, OK, police should never discharge their guns on a subway system. Idealism is not realism," the mayor said. All shots were fired by NYPD officers, authorities have said. Investigators say they tried to subdue the man with Tasers first. The knife he allegedly wielded was taken from the crime scene, despite police initially stating that the weapon had been recovered.
Conclusion
The incident has raised questions about the use of force by police officers and the effectiveness of de-escalation techniques. The families of the victims and their attorneys are calling for the release of bodycam footage from the incident, which they claim will show that the officers’ actions were unjustified.
FAQs
Q: How many people were arrested in the protest?
A: Nearly 20 people were arrested.
Q: How many people were shot in the incident?
A: Four people were shot, including two bystanders and the alleged fare-beater.
Q: What was the condition of the victims?
A: Gregory Delpeche, the 49-year-old man, remained in critical condition as of Tuesday. The 26-year-old woman suffered a graze wound. A police officer was also shot in the armpit.
Q: What did Mayor Eric Adams say about the incident?
A: "I know people would say that, OK, police should never discharge their guns on a subway system. Idealism is not realism."
