After returning from his holiday in Uganda, Zoran Mamdani, a Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, met with the family of NYPD officer Didarul Islam, who was tragically killed in a shooting on Monday. Islam, a 36-year-old police officer, was among several victims in a mass shooting in an office building in midtown Manhattan. The shooter, identified as Shane Tamra, ended his own life after the attack, which also claimed the lives of executive Wesley Lepatner, security guard Aland Etienne, and Rudin Management associate Julia Heyman.
Mamdani was in Uganda for a wedding when the shooting occurred, returning to New York on Wednesday morning. He went directly to the home of Islam’s family, where he was seen carrying flowers. Although he didn’t take questions from the press during the visit, he later spoke at a press conference, mentioning that his family had shared a meal with him and they spent almost an hour together.
Socialist candidates have previously called for refunds for police funding and the dismantling of special units in response to mass shootings, but Mamdani avoided addressing these topics after his recent meeting. During the press event, he expressed his condolences to the grieving family, noting how welcoming they were and their insistence on sharing a meal with him.
After this incident, Mamdani’s past statements about police funding received renewed attention. In December, he had criticized the NYPD’s strategic response group, vowing to disband it, citing its role in troubling confrontations with citizens. Yet, in response to questions about his earlier remarks, he clarified, “To be very clear, I have not refunded the police. I am not running to refund the police.”
Addressing the recent shooting, Mamdani echoed sentiments expressed by Governor Kathy Hochul, highlighting the urgent need to address the threats posed by assault rifles, although he noted that he has yet to receive her full support.
