A 19-year-old man armed with scissors was shot and killed by New York City police officers in Queens following the death of Officer Jonathan Diller.
The shooting occurred near New York City’s Ozone Park around 1:40 p.m., the NYPD said in a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
The 19-year-old’s mother called 911, saying her son was having a “mental crisis” and was acting strange, authorities said.
“The situation quickly became very hectic, confusing and dangerous,” NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said at a press conference.
New York City police officer shoots and kills suspect who had been arrested multiple times during a traffic stop in Queens: Police
NYPD officers shot and killed an emotionally unstable man who threatened them with scissors at a residence in Queens. (Peter Garber)
When officers arrived, they attempted to detain the 19-year-old man in an attempt to “get help,” but he refused to be restrained, authorities said.
Authorities said the man reached into a drawer and pulled out a pair of scissors.
Police said the incident happened around 1:40 p.m. on the second floor of the family’s apartment at 101-12 103rd Avenue, near 101st Avenue in Ozone Park. (Peter Garber)
The NYPD said the man lunged at officers with scissors, and both officers used Tasers.
The Taser briefly stopped the suspect, but the man’s mother tried to save him by knocking the Taser out of his body.
Authorities said the shooting occurred near 103rd Street and 101st Avenue in Ozone Park just after 1:30 p.m. (Peter Garber)
“But the mother, being a mother, ran to help her son and accidentally knocked the Taser off his body,” Chell said.
“The situation quickly became very hectic, confusing and dangerous,” NYPD Sergeant John Chell said at a news conference. (Peter Garber)
Police say the man picked up the scissors again and chased the officers again, who fired their weapons and struck him.
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“It was chaotic and fast-moving and they had to protect themselves,” Chell said.
According to police, the man was pronounced dead at the hospital. (Peter Garber)
The man was taken to Jamaica Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Both police officers underwent tests for tinnitus at the hospital. No shots were fired at the officers, and no one was injured.
New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller has a wife and a son who is almost 1 year old. (New York City Police Department)
Chell said the shooting occurred during the department’s memorial service.
“As our city mourns Officer Diller’s death and recovers from the heinous act of violence against him, our officers must still be here 24/7,” he said.
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“It’s about protecting the community and helping the community, and that’s what they tried to do today with someone who is in mental distress,” Chell said.
This photo provided by the New York City Police Department shows Jonathan Diller, a police officer killed in the line of duty in New York on Monday, March 25, 2024. (New York City Police Department, Associated Press)
Mr. Diller was shot and killed in the line of duty on Monday.
NYPD officials said Diller and another officer were part of the NYPD Emergency Response Team conducting a traffic stop on Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway, Queens, around 5:48 p.m. Monday. A vehicle carrying two men was illegally parked at a bus stop.
When the officers asked the suspect to exit the vehicle, the suspect, who was in the passenger seat, refused and pointed a gun at the officers, authorities said.
Diller was shot in the torso, just below his bulletproof vest.
According to NYPD officials, the suspect has been with the NYPD for three years and has arrested more than 70 people. He leaves behind his wife and young child, PIX 11 reports.
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A candlelight vigil is planned for Wednesday night at Brady Park in Massapequa Park, ahead of his wake and funeral later this week.
Fox News’ Bryan Llenas contributed to this report.
