NYPD Shooting in Brooklyn

Introduction to the Incident

A person was shot by NYPD officers who were apparently trying to break up a fight in Brooklyn Wednesday afternoon, police said, stressing the preliminary nature of the investigation.

Details of the Shooting

A report of the shooting at Utica Avenue and Avenue K came in just before 2 p.m. Police said two plainclothes detectives were out working a case when they noticed two people in an argument. One of those people had a box cutter in his right hand.

The Confrontation

Officers told the man repeatedly to drop the box cutter and he refused, the NYPD said during a press conference. The man walked away from the detectives and tried to start arguing with the other man once again, leading to one office putting himself between the two men.

The Shooting

Then the suspect allegedly lunged at the officers, coming within three or four feet of a detective. That officer fired one time, striking the man in the torso.

Evidence and Response

Below is a picture of the weapon recovered following today’s incident near Utica Avenue and Avenue K, in Brooklyn. https://t.co/viEtKkOhsm pic.twitter.com/Nic1Dvp8Z6— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) March 12, 2025

He was taken to Kings County hospital in critical condition, but was expected to survive.

Aftermath

The detectives were being treated for tinnitus and are expected to be OK. The suspect with the box cutter, who has not been identified, was said to have three prior run-ins with police since 2017, all of which involved mental illness.

Eyewitness Accounts

The two men did not know each other prior to the incident. The suspect was believed to have been standing on the street corner as the other man drove by, when he threw something at the man’s car. The driver stopped, and things escalated from there. The entire altercation was captured on surveillance video.

Victim’s Brother Speaks Out

"He tried not to get into a big fight, but he pulled a knife, charged toward my mother," said Ilya Sekhniashvili, the victim’s brother.
Sekhniashvili said his brother was prepared to defend his mother, but the police intervened.
"If the police weren’t here, probably — God forbid, I don’t know what would’ve happened," said Sekhniashvili.

Investigation and Area Response

The NYPD posted on X that people should avoid the area as the investigation unfolds. Chopper 4 showed a heavy emergency presence at the scene.

Conclusion

The incident highlights the complexities and dangers faced by law enforcement in de-escalating potentially violent situations. The use of force by police is under scrutiny, and investigations into such incidents are crucial for understanding the context and making informed decisions about future policing strategies.

FAQs

• What happened in Brooklyn?
  A person was shot by NYPD officers during an attempt to break up a fight.
• What led to the shooting?
  The suspect, armed with a box cutter, allegedly lunged at officers after refusing to drop the weapon.
• Is the suspect expected to survive?
  Yes, despite being in critical condition, the suspect is expected to survive.
• Were the officers injured?
  The detectives are being treated for tinnitus but are expected to be OK.
• How is the investigation proceeding?
  The area was closed off as the investigation unfolds, with the NYPD advising people to avoid the area.