Police Shooting at Brooklyn Subway Station Leaves Two Bystanders, Suspect Injured
The NYPD on Friday released body-worn camera footage from a weekend shooting at a Brooklyn subway station that started as a confrontation between police and an apparent fare-beater who they have said charged at officers with a knife.
What Happened?
Two police officers opened fire Sunday afternoon at a Brownsville stop after the man accused of skipping the station turnstile allegedly went after the cops with a knife. He was hit several times, as were two bystanders, a 49-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman.
The Suspect
The suspected knife-wielding farebeater, 37-year-old Derrell Mickles, faced a judge virtually from his hospital bed Friday. He pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted aggravated assault on a police officer, menacing an officer, weapons possession and evading his subway fare. The judge set his bail at $200,000.
The Bystanders
The 49-year-old man, identified as Gregory Delpeche, was hit in the head as he was on his way into work at Woodhull Hospital. He was taken to the hospital and was in critical condition. Doctors had to open up his skull to reduce brain swelling, though he was making improvements, according to his family and their attorney.
The 26-year-old woman suffered a graze wound. One of the officers was also shot, in the armpit. The woman, the officer and the suspect were all expected to survive.
Surveillance Video and Police Bodycam Footage
According to police and surveillance video from the station, Mickles jumped a turnstile at the subway station just after 3 p.m. Sunday, right in front of two officers. They then followed Mickles and asked him to leave, which he did — but as he was doing so, he was seen on camera holding an unfurled knife as he exited.
In the body camera footage, the officers tell Mickles to drop the knife. Mickles, standing with his hands behind his back, says, “I’m not dropping it, you’ll have to shoot me.” The officers repeatedly implore him to show them his hands. He tells them to leave him alone.
Bystander’s Family Calls for Accountability
Nick Liakas, the attorney for the family of Delpeche, called the NYPD’s narrative of what happened “a gross mischaracterization of what we see,” slamming the officer’s decision to open fire.
“There was no need for any bullets to fly in the subway station, especially in a setting where the officers put innocent bystanders at risk. And it resulted in Gregory getting shot in the back of the head,” said Liakas.
NYPD Defends Officers
NYPD officials have repeatedly emphasized that the officers fired after Mickles “charged” at one of them, and when their attempts to deescalate the situation and use Tasers had failed — leaving them with little choice but to resort to deadly force to protect themselves and passengers.
Conclusion
The shooting has sparked a debate about police use of force and the need for greater accountability. The NYPD’s actions have been criticized by many, including the bystander’s family and community leaders. The incident is a reminder of the high stakes involved in police encounters and the need for transparency and trust in law enforcement.
FAQs
Q: What happened during the shooting?
A: According to police and surveillance video, the suspect, Derrell Mickles, jumped a turnstile and was seen holding a knife. When officers followed him, he refused to drop the knife and charged at them. The officers fired their Tasers, which had little effect, and then fired their guns, hitting the suspect and two bystanders.
Q: How many people were injured?
A: Three people were injured: the suspect, Derrell Mickles, and two bystanders, a 49-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman.
Q: What charges has the suspect faced?
A: The suspect, Derrell Mickles, has faced charges including attempted aggravated assault on a police officer, menacing an officer, weapons possession and evading his subway fare.
Q: What is the condition of the bystanders?
A: The 49-year-old man, Gregory Delpeche, was in critical condition but is making improvements after being shot in the head. The 26-year-old woman suffered a graze wound and is expected to survive. One of the officers was also shot, in the armpit, and is expected to survive.
Q: What is the reaction of the NYPD and city officials?
A: The NYPD has defended the officers’ actions, saying they fired after Mickles “charged” at one of them and when their attempts to deescalate the situation and use Tasers had failed. City officials, including Mayor Eric Adams, have also defended the officers, saying they made the right decisions in a difficult situation.
