The NYPD released the body camera footage from the Brooklyn police-involved shooting almost a week after an officer was wounded and a commuter suffered brain damage. The video shows 37-year-old Derell Mickles walking through an open gate at the Sutter Avenue station on the L line, followed by Transit police officer Wong and Police Officer Mays. Mickles yells at the cops to get away from him, leading to a confrontation on the arriving train where both officers deploy their tasers. Despite this, Mickles does not appear affected and briefly charges at Officer Mays, resulting in both officers firing multiple shots. During the chaos, two civilians, including 49-year-old Gregory Delpeche, were struck by gunfire and Delpeche suffered brain damage.
Mayor Eric Adams expressed condolences to the innocent bystanders involved in the incident and their families, emphasizing the collective pain felt by all New Yorkers when such incidents occur. While defending the officers’ actions, Adams acknowledged the need for a thorough investigation into the matter. The incident has raised questions about subway policing and sparked protests regarding mass fare evasion.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams condemned the incident, stating that no shots should have been fired and highlighting systemic failures in addressing mental health issues and poverty. Williams criticized the focus on fare evasion and the use of excessive force in this case.
The release of the body camera footage has brought citywide attention to the incident and raised concerns about police tactics and responses to similar situations in the future. The ongoing investigation will shed more light on the events leading up to the shooting and the actions taken by the officers involved. Public officials and advocates are calling for transparency, accountability, and reform in law enforcement practices to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
