NEW YORK – The NYPD is expected to release bodycam footage of a shooting on the L train that injured four peopleincluding the suspect, one of the officers and two innocent bystanders.
The shooting occurred on Sunday after police confronted a fare dodger who pulled a knife and charged toward officers.
Gregory Delpeche, 49, was accidentally hit in the head by one of the officers’ bullets. His family says he is fighting for his life and is in critical condition. They have called for an investigation into the actions of the officers involvedand that the bodycam images are made public.
The suspect, 38-year-old Derell Mickells, was summoned to his hospital bed Friday, charged with attempted assault, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing and theft of service.
What police say happened
According to police, officers at the Sutter Avenue L subway station asked Mickells to leave the station after they saw him jump a turnstile. They say Mickells left the station but then returned and re-entered a few minutes later, this time through an open gate. The officers followed him and saw he was carrying a knife, police said. They say body camera footage shows officers telling him to drop the knife at least 30 times, and Mickells refused.
They eventually followed him onto a subway train, with Mickells carrying the knife. They attempted to tase him, but it was ineffective, police said. Then Mickells allegedly attacked an officer with the knife drawn, and both officers opened fire.
They fired nine shots, hitting Mickells and one of the officers. Two bystanders, including Delpeche, were also hit. A 26-year-old woman was hit in the buttocks.
Calls for an investigation and protests followed
Delpeche’s family has said the NYPD acted recklessly. Their attorney has called for a full investigation and the release of the bodycam footage.
Tuesday evening, 18 people arrested at protest at the Sutter Avenue subway station. On Wednesday, 16 people were arrested after protesters jumped the turnstile at the West Fourth Street subway station.
