Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of a Minor in Dutchess County

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of a minor, O.C., who died on June 27, 2026 following an encounter with members of the New York State Police (NYSP), Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), and the Village of Wappingers Falls Police Department (VWFPD) in Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County.

During the early morning hours of June 27, officers from NYSP, DCSO, and VWFPD responded to a 911 call reporting a suicidal person in Wappingers Falls. Upon arrival, officers encountered O.C. on the ledge of an overpass bridge with a knife in his hand. Officers attempted to speak to O.C. for about 50 minutes. O.C. then stood up and allegedly ran toward at least one officer while holding the knife. Multiple officers fired their service weapons, striking O.C. O.C. was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a knife at the scene.

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released footage from body-worn cameras that officers were equipped with during the incident. The release of this footage follows Attorney General James’ directive that camera footage obtained by her office during an OSI investigation be released to the public to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.

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.

The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime.

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