Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office last night announced an investigation into tactical NYPD officers as prosecutors proceed with charges against dozens of anti-Israel agitators whom police arrested inside a barricaded building on Tuesday. Announced.
Officials are holding a briefing on the issue Friday morning.
Police arrested 282 people Tuesday night in crackdowns at Columbia University and the City University of New York. Prosecutors said 74 of them had misdemeanor or higher-level felonies, and 16 had outstanding warrants. About half of those arrested had no connection to either school.
NYPD police officer accidentally fires gun while removing anti-Israel activists from Columbia University building
Protesters barricade themselves inside Hamilton Hall, an academic building that has been occupied by student protests in the past, on April 30, 2024, in New York City. Police said about 30% of the people arrested inside Columbia University buildings were not affiliated with the university. (Alex Kent/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Columbia University leaders asked the New York Police Department to help remove a group of anti-Israel agitators who had broken into the Hamilton Hall building and barricaded themselves there.
During the operation, a paramedic pulled out a gun to use an attached flashlight and accidentally fired into a door frame, the NYPD said. No one was injured.
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WATCH: Body camera footage shows New York City police enter Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall
“No bullets struck anyone and no one was injured,” an NYPD spokesperson said Thursday night. “No one other than law enforcement personnel witnessed or heard this accidental discharge. An investigation was immediately conducted and the NYPD determined that this incident was an accidental discharge. Did.”
Police said they have sent body cameras from the incident to the DA’s office.
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On April 30, 2024, New York Police Department officers arrested dozens of anti-Israel agitators from Columbia University who had barricaded themselves in the Hamilton Hall Building in New York City, United States. (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Also Thursday night, Mr. Bragg’s office said: Cityreported on a local news site that the police accountability unit is investigating the incident.
Police arrested more than 100 people at Columbia University during the raid, including 46 people inside Hamilton Hall who were charged with trespassing and related charges.
NYPD officers entered Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall, which had been occupied by anti-Israel demonstrators, on Tuesday night and entered the building. (New York City Police Department)
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Body camera video shows officers moving heavy furniture tied with zip ties and cutting steel chains to break through barricades before encountering occupiers barricaded in classrooms. This indicates that the company had to take measures such as
All suspects were released on their own recognizance without posting bail under New York State’s bail reform law, authorities said.
Fox News’ CB Cotton contributed to this report.
