Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Releases Report on Death of Djamshed Nematov

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) today released its report on the death of Djamshed Nematov, who died on March 8, 2024 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Queens. After a thorough investigation, which included interviews with involved officers, review of footage from officers’ body-worn cameras (BWC), 911 calls, and ballistic evidence, and comprehensive legal analysis, OSI determined that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers’ actions were justified under New York law.

Shortly before 7 p.m. on March 8, NYPD officers arrived at an apartment building in Queens following 911 calls reporting a man stabbing his wife with a knife. When officers arrived, a 911 caller informed them that Mr. Nematov was armed with a knife on the second floor of the building. Officers encountered Mr. Nematov in the hallway of the second floor, holding a knife. Officers directed Mr. Nematov to put the knife down, but Mr. Nematov ran toward the officers with the knife raised and pointed in their direction. One officer deployed his Taser and two other officers discharged their service weapons, striking Mr. Nematov. Mr. Nematov was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered two knives at the scene.

Under New York’s justification law, a police officer may use deadly physical force when the officer reasonably believes it to be necessary to defend against the use of deadly physical force by another. In this case, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a man stabbing his wife. Officers directed Mr. Nematov to drop the knife, but he failed to comply and instead ran toward officers with the knife. Under these circumstances, given the law and the evidence, a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers’ use of deadly physical force against Mr. Nematov was justified, and therefore OSI determined that criminal charges would not be pursued in this matter.