Newly released 911 audio and body-worn camera video shed light on a police-involved shooting in Queens that followed a call for mental health assistance. The incident involved 22-year-old Jabez Chakraborty, whom authorities say has lived with schizophrenia for many years. In the 911 call, Chakraborty’s mother requested an ambulance and involuntary transportation, describing a mental health episode in which her son was throwing glass and needed to be removed against his will. She stated that no one was injured and that Chakraborty did not have weapons. Police responded along with EMS.
Body-worn camera video released shows Chakraborty holding a knife as a family member attempted to prevent him from moving toward an officer. The officers pleaded with him to drop the knife. One officer slammed a door, but Chakraborty pried it open. As he did, the officer fired four shots. Chakraborty survived several bullet wounds and remains hospitalized. His family said they called 911 to request medical attention while he experienced emotional distress. “We did not call the police,” the family said. According to a family spokesperson, the presence of officers likely made the situation worse.
Policy Response
Mayor Mamdani visited Chakraborty and emphasized that police should respond to violent mental health episodes but questioned whether this particular situation warranted the police response that occurred. The mayor said he is “sure if someone is going through any mental health crisis and they see an officer with a gun pointing at them, that that also is not necessarily going to de-escalate any situation that is happening.” Mamdani said the incident may accelerate his proposed Department of Community Safety initiative, which would send social workers rather than police officers to respond to mental health crises. “I proposed creating a Department of Community Safety to build a mental health system rooted in prevention and sustained care, a real crisis response, so officers no longer have to handle these situations alone,” he said. He added that Chakraborty needs mental health treatment, not criminal prosecution. The family, who agree the individual should not be prosecuted, report he remains in the ICU handcuffed at the wrist and ankles.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://abc7ny.com/post/queens-police-involved-shooting-body-cam-video-released-amid-questions-mayor-zohran-mamdani-response/18539941/