The New York City Police Department stated on Saturday that a mentally ill man, who sustained severe injuries after being shot by a police officer in Queens, had approached the officers while wielding a knife as they attempted to back away.
This information came out a day after the family of Jabez Chakraborty, 22, publicly criticized the police’s approach to the situation.
The family had called 911, reporting that Chakraborty was “throwing glass against a wall” in their Briarwood home, but they didn’t actually think the police would arrive.
A statement from the advocacy group Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), representing South Asian immigrants, revealed that the family intended to seek medical help for their son, who was experiencing a crisis.
“We didn’t call the police,” they emphasized.
According to NYPD records, during the 911 call, the family was informed that both police officers and an ambulance were dispatched to their location.
Upon arrival, police said the family permitted them to enter the apartment. The situation escalated when Chakraborty allegedly brandished a large kitchen knife, prompting an officer to draw his weapon.
As the officers tried to reduce tensions and retreat, Chakraborty reportedly ignored their pleas to drop the knife and followed them instead. “Officers even closed the door behind them,” a spokesperson mentioned. “He overpowered them and opened the door.”
The family contends that officers seized their cell phone and questioned them about their country of origin. “While our son lay shot on the floor, the NYPD acted like ICE,” they said, referring to immigration enforcement.
Once Chakraborty was hospitalized, a representative from the Queens district attorney’s office appeared and directed police to get back the cellphone, according to NYPD reports.
The spokesperson further explained that “multiple families signed voluntary consent forms to hand over their cellphones” and noted that officers reviewed hours of body camera footage, denying any immigration-related inquiries were made.
The family accused the NYPD of neglecting to provide adequate medical attention; however, the police maintained that their officers performed “life-saving measures” while applying a tourniquet.
They also took issue with Mayor Mamdani’s comments, in which he expressed gratitude to first responders. “Why would the mayor praise a police officer who so recklessly nearly killed our son in front of our eyes?” the family questioned in their statement.
Chakraborty has been charged with attempted murder by the Queens Attorney’s Office and remains hospitalized and on a ventilator while under police watch. His family has urged prosecutors to not pursue charges.
