The New York City Police Department released body camera footage of an officer-involved shooting at a Brooklyn subway station in which several people were injured, including a suspect, an officer and several bystanders.
Video of the incident that occurred Sunday shows the interactions that officers Edmund Mays and Alex Wong had with the suspect, Derrell Mickles, 37, and the shooting that sparked criticism of the officers' handling of the situation.
Mickles was seen entering the Sutter Avenue train station in Brownsville without paying, jumping the turnstile shortly before 3 p.m. Sunday before exiting the station. Minutes later, he returns through the emergency exit with a knife in his hand.
The officers notice him and eventually follow him up the stairs to the platform. At one point, Mickles shouts at the officers: “Don't touch me” and “Don't make me kill you.”
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The New York City Police Department released body camera footage of an officer-involved shooting at a Brooklyn subway station. (New York Police)
As the train approaches, Mickles enters with a knife still in his hand.
The officers follow him into the train and order him to drop the knife. The officers then use their Tasers, which appear to be ineffective in stopping Mickles, who continues to advance through the train until he reaches the platform.
After officers arrive at the platform, they again order Mickles to drop the knife.
Mickles began attacking the officers, who opened fire. Police said the two officers fired a total of nine shots.
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Mickles yells at the officers: “Don't touch me” and “Don't make me kill you.” (New York Police)
The suspect and a bystander were left in critical condition, while an officer and another bystander were injured, according to ABC 7.
On Friday, Mickles was charged with eight counts, including attempted aggravated assault on a police officer, attempted assault and battery, threatening a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon and theft of services.
Mickles was arraigned at Kings County Hospital while he recovers from his injuries. He pleaded not guilty and was held on $250,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 20.
Before the release of the body camera footage, there had been growing public criticism of the officers' handling of the situation, including from the family of a bystander, Gregory Delpeche, 49, who was shot in the head by police.
The suspect and a bystander were in critical condition, while an officer and another bystander were injured. (New York Police)
“Mr. Delpeche is fighting for his life because of a reckless shooting, something that has now been confirmed by video, video that shows a shooting that did not have to happen,” Delpeche's attorney, Keith White, told ABC 7.
Another attorney for Delpeche, Nick Liakas, said officers ordered his client to stay where he was eventually shot, according to the outlet.
“I'm speechless. What the NYPD showed us, what that video was supposed to show, couldn't be further from the truth,” Liakas said.
“This unnecessary tragedy could have been avoided if [police] “Appropriate steps have been taken to de-escalate the situation,” Liakas said. “We are here today because New York City has failed to take responsibility for the actions of its officers. We are here to call for a full investigation.”
Mickles was charged with eight counts, including attempted aggravated assault on a police officer, attempted assault and battery, threatening a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon and theft of services. (New York Police)
The New York Police Department has attempted to defend its officers in the face of criticism.
“We're not perfect and not every situation is the same,” NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said at a news conference. “This is a rapidly evolving situation, it's unfolding at a fast-paced and stressful pace, and we did the best we could to protect our lives and the lives of the people who were on that train.”
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Chell said the incident was not about fare evasion, but rather an incident involving “a person under mental stress armed with a deadly weapon.” Police said officers asked the suspect 38 times to drop the knife.
“As shown on the body camera, Mr. Mickles attacked one of the officers and then turned around. The other officer was standing there approximately five feet away. At that point, both officers fired their weapons,” Chell said.
