New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani stirred up controversy on Sunday after suggesting that a mentally ill individual, who was shot and killed by police following an alleged knife charge, should instead receive mental health treatment rather than face criminal charges.
Joey Jones, co-host of The Big Weekend Show, reacted strongly, saying that for Mamdani to imply anything different from what the police are trained to do in such situations is a serious misstep. “I hope someone holds him accountable for this,” he added.
This incident involved 22-year-old Jabez Chakraborty, who died at the hands of an NYPD officer in Queens during what was described as a mental health episode. There’s growing debate around Mamdani’s decision to prioritize treatment over prosecution.
According to police, Chakraborty’s family had previously sought to have him involuntarily committed, requiring police and emergency services to intervene.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office is looking into the case, and they may consider attempted murder charges. Nonetheless, after meeting with Chakraborty’s family, Mamdani reiterated their belief that he should be offered mental health treatment rather than be prosecuted for his actions.
“We’re talking about families going through unimaginable pain, and individuals who have dealt with schizophrenia for years,” Mamdani stated at a recent press briefing.
He emphasized the importance of having various options when responding to mental health crises, noting that not every incident necessitates a police response.
Jones argued that Mamdani’s position is drawing backlash from law enforcement similar to past incidents when officers have publicly turned away from municipal leaders. In a strong commentary, FOX News contributor Guy Benson criticized Mamdani’s perspective, suggesting that it redirects the focus onto the suspect rather than the officer who acted in self-defense.
Benson remarked, “It seems like the mayor views the individual with the weapon as the primary victim instead of the officer who had to fire in self-defense. I don’t see things improving from here.”
Mamdani has committed to tackling the mental health crisis as a central theme in his 2025 campaign.
