Surveillance and body camera footage released by the New York Police Department captured a chaotic scene at a Brooklyn subway platform last weekend. The footage shows officers shooting at an alleged turnstile jumper, hitting bystanders in the process.
The incident occurred at the Sutter Avenue train station in Brownsville on Sept. 15. The man, identified as Derrell Mickles, jumped over the turnstile without paying. When approached by NYPD officers Alex Wong and Edmund Mays, Mickles displayed a knife in his right hand. He then re-entered the station through the emergency gate, followed by the officers.
Bodycam footage shows the officers ordering Mickles to drop his knife, but he refused and backed into a train car. Despite attempts to use a stun gun, Mickles walked out of the train. He later ran towards Officer Mays with the knife, prompting the officers to fire a total of nine shots at close range.
Unfortunately, a bystander, Gregory Delpeche, was shot in the head by a stray bullet and remains in critical condition after undergoing cranial surgery. Another bystander, a 26-year-old woman, was grazed by a bullet. Both Officer Mays and the woman are in stable condition.
Delpeche’s attorney criticized the NYPD’s handling of the situation, stating that Mickles was in retreat when he was shot. He also mentioned that the city’s leadership is failing to equip first responders with the necessary tools to deal with emotionally disturbed persons.
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell described the incident as tragic but defended the officers’ actions, stating that they did their best to protect themselves and the people on the train. Mickles pleaded not guilty to several charges, including attempted assault and fare evasion.
Mickles’ attorney confirmed that his client remains hospitalized and unable to walk. The aftermath of this incident raises questions about police procedures and the use of force in such situations. It also sheds light on the risks faced by bystanders during police interventions.
It is crucial for law enforcement agencies to continuously evaluate their tactics and training to prevent similar incidents in the future. The community must also be involved in discussions about police conduct and accountability to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in such encounters.
