Police Shoot Man Who Called 911 for Help After Mistaking Him for Knife-Wielding Assailant
Incident Unfolds in the Bronx
Police in the Bronx shot a man who called 911 for help on Sunday evening after they mistook him for a knife-wielding assailant charging at them, authorities said.
The Peculiar Incident
According to police officials, the peculiar incident unfolded when a 32-year-old man residing at 335 East 148th St. in Mott Haven dialed 911 at around 5:40 p.m. on January 12 and told the operator in Spanish that a man was attempting to steal his air conditioner.
Officers’ Misinterpretation
However, when two female officers arrived on the second floor, they could not locate the caller, so they attempted to return down the staircase. They then encountered the 32-year-old man walking up the stairs while carrying a knife in his right hand.
Police’s Attempt to Intervene
Police say the man had entered the building from the side door leading to an alleyway after attempting to confront an apparent burglar, which is why he was carrying the blade.
“One officer gave the male verbal commands, telling them to ‘wait, wait, wait,’ and also telling them to ‘drop it, drop it,’ while also putting her hand up to motion for him to stop,” Deputy Chief at Force Investigation Division Rohan Griffith said. “The male continued to swiftly approach the officers, still with the knife in his right hand. One officer discharged her firearm, striking the male in the torso.”
The knife the 911 caller was allegedly holding.NYPD
Critical Injuries and Investigation
EMS rushed the victim to Lincoln Hospital in stable condition; he is expected to survive, police sources said. A source familiar with the incident revealed that the whole thing took place in an extremely tight staircase and unfolded in a matter of mere seconds. Investigators are looking into whether there could have been a language barrier between the cops and 911 caller.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the potential risks and complexities involved in high-pressure situations, where a simple misinterpretation can have severe consequences. The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division is investigating the incident, and the department is working to identify the burglar who appeared to have made a getaway.
FAQs
* What happened during the incident?
The 32-year-old man called 911 for help, but the officers mistook him for a knife-wielding assailant and shot him.
* Why did the officers shoot the man?
The officers believed the man was charging at them with a knife, and they attempted to stop him, but the man continued to approach them, leading one officer to discharge her firearm.
* What is the condition of the victim?
The victim is expected to survive and is currently in stable condition at a local hospital.
* What is the status of the investigation?
The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division is investigating the incident, and the department is working to identify the burglar who appeared to have made a getaway.
