NYPD criticized after fatal shooting of man in crisis on bodycam
A tragic and contentious incident took place in Queens, New York. Bodycam footage released by Attorney General Letitia James has sparked public outrage and calls for accountability. The video shows NYPD officers fatally shooting Win Rozario. He was a man experiencing a mental health crisis and the NYPD fatally shot him, despite pleas from his family.
The distressing incident occurred on March 27, when Rozario’s younger brother called 911 seeking help for his brother’s erratic behavior. Upon arrival, officers confronted Rozario in the kitchen where he briefly held a pair of scissors. Despite his mother, Notan Ava Costa, managing to disarm him and pleading with the officers not to shoot, the situation rapidly deteriorated.
Bodycam footage reveals that after an initial non-lethal response with a Taser, tensions escalated. Rozario picked up the scissors again, leading to a fatal sequence where officers discharged their firearms multiple times. His mother’s cries of “Don’t shoot!” echoed as the chaotic scene unfolded, with Rozario ultimately collapsing after the officers’ gunfire.
The NYPD has placed the involved officers on modified assignment pending an investigation, while the family vehemently demands their firing and criminal charges, condemning the actions as a cold-blooded killing.
This incident raises critical questions about police response to mental health crises and the use of force. The Attorney General’s ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full circumstances of the encounter, as the community and Rozario’s family mourn a life lost and seek justice.
The release of this footage has intensified the debate on police reform and the necessity for enhanced training in handling mental health emergencies, highlighting a pivotal moment for law enforcement protocols.
NYPD criticized after fatal shooting of man in crisis on bodycam
