Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Releases Report on Death of Andre Mayfield

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) today released its report on the death of Andre Mayfield, who died on May 26, 2024 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Brooklyn. After a thorough investigation, which included interviews with involved officers, review of footage from officers’ body-worn cameras (BWC) and crime scene 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.

At 2:18 a.m. on May 26, two NYPD officers were in a marked patrol vehicle at the intersection of Central Avenue and Eldert Street in Brooklyn after responding to a previous unrelated call. Mr. Mayfield walked up to the passenger side of the police car and threw a glass bottle at the passenger side window. The officers got out of the vehicle, and Mr. Mayfield walked toward one officer with a knife in his hand. Both officers deployed their Tasers, and Mr. Mayfield fell to the ground. Mr. Mayfield then stood back up while still holding onto the knife and began moving toward the officers. The officers instructed Mr. Mayfield to back up, but he did not comply and continued walking toward the officers. Both officers discharged their service weapons, striking Mr. Mayfield. Mr. Mayfield was transported to a hospital where he was later 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, Mr. Mayfield approached the officers’ vehicle while they were inside and threw a glass bottle at the window. When the officers got out of the vehicle, Mr. Mayfield walked toward one of the officers with a knife in his hand and ignored commands to drop it. After the officers Tased Mr. Mayfield, he got up and continued advancing toward the 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. Mayfield was justified, and therefore OSI determined that criminal charges would not be pursued in this matter.