Police in Queens fatally shoot a 61-year-old man after he lunges at them while brandishing a 14-inch kitchen knife. Officers responded to multiple 911 calls about the man, who was reportedly erratic and potentially threatening to others on the street, around 6:20 a.m. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon and attempts to subdue him using tasers, officers were unable to diffuse the situation before the man advanced towards them.
During a tense standoff lasting 56 seconds, officers felt compelled to use lethal force to defend themselves, ultimately shooting the man multiple times. He was treated at the scene and later pronounced dead at Elmhurst Hospital. The incident raises questions about the effectiveness of de-escalation techniques, highlighting that the suspect had prior interactions with law enforcement regarding mental health issues. Police are now investigating why tasers did not work as intended during this encounter.
Read full story at nypost.com
