NYPD officers shoot knife-wielding man in Kingsbridge section of Bronx
NEW YORK -- The NYPD opened fire on a man in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx on Sunday, leaving him in critical condition.
Police said they were responding to a call about an emotionally disturbed man armed with a knife.
Police say around 10 a.m. a father called 911 saying his adult son was having a medical episode at 2685 Grand Concourse near Kingsbridge Road. The father said the son felt like he was being followed, and prosecuted.
Police say the father also said the son stated, "If any cops show up here today, I will kill them."
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell described what happened when first responders arrived.
"Two cops and fire arrive in front of the location. They are met by the father and began to enter the walkway to the vestibule. At this time, the subject comes out, clearly becomes agitated, receives the officers [commands], drops a bag, produces a large kitchen knife, and starts advancing towards the officers. The officers give numerous instructions to drop the knife, at which time he does not comply. They discharge their firearms, striking the subject," Chell said.
In Spanish, the wounded man's brother said he didn't know exactly what happened because he wasn't home at the time, but added there was no family argument preceding the 911 call. When asked about the police shooting, the brother said he had no comment.
CBS2 spoke with one witness who said he wondered why police had to use a gun in this case.
"Why you don't have a practice to take care to the knife to the guy?" Nelson Hernandez of Kingsbridge said, adding he heard four gunshots.
A couple said they saw the large police presence afterward.
"They have their job. That's what they got to do and at that point you got to be in their shoes, too," Byron Candelo said. "At the moment, how are you going to react to that situation in particular?"
Police were asked if mental health workers should have responded also. Chell said body-worn police cameras will be reviewed. He added police responded quickly, and within 28 seconds of officers arriving on scene, the man pulled out the knife.
