'Wrong': NYPD defends officer-involved shooting at Brooklyn subway station
NEW YORK (PIX11) – The man who allegedly charged at police officers with a knife at a Brooklyn subway station on Sunday had already had one interaction with police for reportedly dodging the MTA fare, NYPD officials said.
Interim Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon was joined by top brass from the NYPD on Wednesday to brief the public on the investigation. Officials noted the police body camera footage from the incident will be released in the coming days.
“I want to state that some of the narratives discussed by people, that we shot someone over $2.90 – which is wrong and frankly irresponsible.” NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said.
On Sunday, two officers were posted at the Sutter Avenue subway station when 37-year-old Derell Mickles allegedly jumped a turnstile. Officers asked Mickles to leave, and he went on his own accord. For whatever reason, Mickles pulled out an 8-inch knife as he left the station, officials said.
Mickles returned to the subway station and reportedly dodged the subway fare a second time, walking through a metal gate at the station. Mickes, who allegedly had his blade on display, was asked to drop his weapon 38 times, officials said.
A standoff with police followed and led to Mickles, two bystanders, and an NYPD officer all being injured in a shooting. A 49-year-old bystander who was shot in the head has brain damage, sources said.
Police said the officers tried everything to de-escalate the situation.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.