Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Queens

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 February 12, 2024 following an encounter with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Queens County. 

At 10:34 a.m. on February 12, NYPD officers responded to reports of shots fired at an apartment on Beach 51st Street in Queens. After arriving at the apartment, officers encountered a man who was allegedly holding what appeared to be a gun. The officers ordered him to drop the gun and when he failed to do so, an officer fired his service weapon. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a BB 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.