Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Brooklyn

October 7, 2025

NEW YORK - The New York Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of a civilian who died on October 5, 2025 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Brooklyn.

Shortly after 9 a.m. on October 5, NYPD officers were responding to a 911 call when they encountered a man outside of a building on East 86th Street in Brooklyn. When officers attempted to stop the man, he ran away, and officers pursued him. The man stopped on Coventry Road between East 86th Street and Ralph Avenue. The man was holding a gun, and officers instructed him to drop the gun. The man allegedly failed to drop the gun, and an officer discharged his service weapon, striking the man. The man was transferred to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a gun at the scene.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI's assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.