NEW YORK — Community leaders in Brooklyn are calling on New York City Police to suspend police the officers who shot a suspect on a metro train on Sunday.
Four people were injured, including a police officer and two innocent bystanders.
2 Bystanders Beaten After NYPD Officers Open Fire On L Train
Police said the situation escalated after Derell Mickells, 38, overran the Sutter Avenue station and ignored multiple commands to stop. The officers’ Tasers were “ineffective.” Mickells pulled out a knife and approached one of the officers, according to the New York Police Department.
According to police, one officer fired six shots and the other three. Mickells was hit, along with one of the officers, a 49-year-old male bystander and a 26-year-old female bystander.
Mickells, who was shot in the abdomen, faces multiple charges, including attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon. He remains in critical condition.
The officer who was accidentally shot in the armpit has been released from the hospital.
The 49-year-old bystander was struck in the head. The city confirms he is an employee of Woodhull Hospital. His family has asked that we not release his name at this time, but said he remains in intensive care at Kings County Hospital. The victim’s cousin says the 49-year-old was on his way to work at the time.
According to police sources, a 26-year-old woman was also hit in the buttocks with a bullet and was released from the hospital.
“My condolences go out to the family and I told the mother at the same time that I am glad her daughter survived,” said Mayor Eric Adams.
Per police protocol for shootings, the officers have been placed in the office while the NYPD investigates. The Civilian Complaint Review Board is also investigating.
Mayor Eric Adams Defends NYPD After L Train Shooting
On Tuesday, Adams and the NYPD came under scrutiny from community leaders in Brownsville. An anti-violence group, Elite Learners, said more city funding is needed to respond seven days a week. They were off Sunday.
“Community solutions and communities need support,” said Camara Jackson, the group’s executive director.
“The fact that they entered the subway and shot into the middle of the people on the platform … shows that they are deranged and out of control,” said Omowale Clay, chairman of the December 12th Movement.
“The police should have said that. They [should have] said, sir, we’ll pay for your trip,” said former New York City Councilman Charles Barron. “The greatest danger to the people in our community on Sunday afternoon was the police … They should all be suspended, their guns should be taken away from them.”
Community members handed out free subway swipes at the Sutter Avenue station in protest of the NYPD officers’ actions.
“Two dollars and 90 cents is not a bullet in your head,” one protester said.
“They clearly show that our lives are worth less than $2.90,” said protester Nkululko Sechaba.
“We understand that fare evasion can be a problem, but the way we deal with fare evasion is a bigger problem. If I can get shot when I get on the train, that’s a problem,” said protester Carl Ellis Grant.
The mayor defended the officers on Tuesday.
“He wasn’t shot for fare dodging. He was shot because he had a knife and he went after the police officers … I thought the officers responded appropriately,” Adams said.
The mayor said the city would look into purchasing new Tasers that are more effective.
“There are new forms of Tasers coming to market… We want one that is single-point, that is easier to deliver,” Adams said.
An analysis of NYPD data from 2022 (the most recent data) found that Tasers were effective 66.6% of the time the NYPD used them, and failed about 33% of the time.
“I think those officers made great strides in apprehending someone with a history of over 20 arrests so we could talk about it,” Adams said.
The police are also still looking for a man who the NYPD says took the suspect’s knife from the crime sceneIf you have any information, please call Crime Stoppers.
