NEW YORK — New footage from a Brooklyn subway station shows two New York City police officers opening fire on a man wielding a knife. The incident, captured on video, depicts the man standing still with his arms by his side and facing away from an oncoming train when the officers discharged their weapons.
Following the shooting on Sunday, police officials stated that the officers fired after the individual, identified as Derell Mickles, “charged” at one of them despite attempts to deescalate the situation using Tasers. They maintained that they had no other option but to use deadly force to ensure their safety and the safety of passengers.
The footage, released by the NYPD, also reveals that a bystander, Gregory Delpeche, 49, was critically injured when he was struck by a stray bullet during the incident. Reports indicate that Delpeche underwent emergency surgery to alleviate brain swelling.
An attorney for Delpeche’s family criticized the police narrative, asserting that the officers’ actions were unjustifiable and posed a dangerous risk to innocent bystanders. “There was no need for any bullets to fly in the subway station,” stated the attorney.
During a press conference, police officials defended the officers’ actions, noting that Mickles entered the subway system armed with a knife and ignored multiple orders to drop the weapon. NYPD interim commissioner Thomas Donlon stated that Mickles advanced towards the officers while armed.
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell described the events as tragic, emphasizing that the officers were acting to protect themselves and the public. He detailed that Mickles had jumped a turnstile earlier that afternoon and had been asked to leave the station, only to return with a knife.
Video evidence shows officers urging Mickles to show his hands, but he refused, stating, “I’m not dropping it, you’ll have to shoot me.” After multiple warnings, the officers deployed Tasers, which were ineffective, prompting Mickles to exit the train still holding the knife.
In the climactic moment captured on camera, Mickles comes to a halt in front of the train, and as he turns slightly, officers fire multiple shots. He collapsed onto the tracks, while passengers fled the scene in panic.
In addition to Mickles and Delpeche, one officer reportedly sustained a graze wound during the incident. Mickles, currently hospitalized, has pleaded not guilty to several charges, with a bail set at $200,000.
Police reform advocates expressed outrage over the shooting, highlighting systemic issues related to mental health and policing in the city. They criticized recent policies that they argue prioritize aggressive enforcement over accessible mental health resources for residents.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams remarked on the officers’ restraint prior to the shooting but acknowledged that a formal review of the incident is ongoing. “I will avoid commenting any further out of respect for that process,” he stated.
