NYPD releases L train shooting body camera footage
NEW YORK -- The NYPD released body camera footage of a shooting on the L train that left four people injured, including the suspect, an officer, and two innocent bystanders.
The shooting took place Sunday after police say they confronted a fare evader who pulled a knife on officers and charged at them at the Sutter Avenue station in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
Gregory Delpeche, 49, was accidentally struck in the head by one of the officers' bullets. His family says he is fighting for his life and is in critical condition. They have called for an investigation into the actions of the officers involved.
The suspect, 37-year-old Derell Mickles, was arraigned in his hospital bed Friday. He's being charged with attempted assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon.
"He maintains his innocence. There's a lot to be explored in this case. He was obviously shot by police and is in very serious condition," his attorney Jonathan Fink said.
What the video shows
The NYPD released surveillance and body camera footage which give multiple angles of the police shooting. The video shows Mickles first jumping the turnstile, then following orders from the police orders to leave. The video highlights Mickles holding an open knife by his side has he does so.
About 10 minutes later, he returns and enters through the station's emergency door. Officers follow him to the platform where they direct him to drop the knife. He hides his hands behind his back.
When the L train pulls up, Mickles boards, still ignoring officers' commands. Police follow him on the car and continue to order him to put down the knife. They deploy a Taser, which does not appear to work, and at that time Mickles can be seen holding the knife again. He runs onto the platform. Officers follow, and both fire their guns, shooting Mickles.
A total of nine shots were fired. In their pursuit, one officer also shot the other officer, and they shot a 26-year-old woman, both of whom have been released from the hospital. Police also shot Delpeche in the head as he was on his way to work.
Family of injured bystander, NYC officials respond to body cam video
Delpeche's family have said the NYPD was reckless, and their attorney has called for a full investigation.
"A video where our mayor won't take responsibility, Chief Maddrey won't take responsibility, Chief Chell won't take responsibility, but a video that shows a shooting that did not have to occur ... and nothing changes until our leaders take responsibility. That shooting didn't have to happen. Mr. Delpeche was directed to a space on that train by those police officers, where he was subsequently shot. That's unconscionable," said Keith White, the family's attorney.
"From what we seen, the perpetrator was just standing there, and then my cousin is the one that gotta suffer because of the hands of the NYPD," said Delpeche's cousin Catheline Jeudy.
Earlier this week, the NYPD said Mickles had charged at the officers, but Delpeche's family does not see it that way now that they have video.
"My cousin is fighting for his life, every day from Sunday. A gunshot wound to the head. Make it make sense," Jeudy said. "You decided to open fire at someone that just didn't even lunge at you."
"This is unacceptable, and this is reckless. There's no way he should be in that hospital. That's wrong. It's wrong, wrong, wrong," said Delpeche's cousin Greg Nouges.
At a press conference Friday, several New York City officials also spoke out.
"They opened fire on a train full of Black people and Brown people in East New York with wanton disregard of who the hell they hit," Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said.
"NYPD, you and the mayor have to come to the realization that this was a mass shooting," City Councilman Chris Banks said.
Mayor Eric Adams released the following statement Friday evening after the body camera footage was released:
"Our condolences go out to the innocent bystanders involved in this incident and their families, and like all New Yorkers, we're praying for their immediate recovery. No one wants to see innocent people get hurt because anytime an a New Yorker is injured during a crime, we all, collectively, share the profound pain.
"We all agree that public safety and justice are the prerequisites to prosperity and they must go hand-in-hand. Every day, we are fighting to reduce crime on our streets and in our subways, and our administration remains committed to keeping New Yorkers safe.
"While this matter remains under investigation, the NYPD's initial review found that this shooting took place after the suspect involved brandished a dangerous weapon and put officers' lives at risk. While the formal review continues, and out of respect for that process, I will avoid commenting any further.
"As a young man, and throughout my career as a former police officer and as an elected official, I've spent my career fighting for both public safety and police reform, and I have been clear that I expect a Police Department that is professional, impartial, and just. The NYPD continues to work diligently to ensure New Yorkers are both safe and policed fairly."
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said in a statement:
"The video clearly shows that this individual repeatedly brandished a deadly knife on the subway, threatened to kill our police officers and then lunged at them with that knife. His actions put our police officers and everyone in that subway station in a horrible, dangerous situation. He is solely responsible for all the harm caused in this incident. Our hearts go out to the injured civilians and their families. This dangerous career criminal needs to be held accountable for all the pain he has caused."
The shooting is under an internal NYPD investigation.
Tuesday night, 18 people were arrested at a protest at the Sutter Avenue subway station. Wednesday, 16 people were taken into custody after protesters jumped the turnstile at the West Fourth Street subway station.
Protesters took to the streets of Lower Manhattan Friday night, protesting against the shooting and calling on the mayor to step down. They also marched alongside hundreds of people participating in a planned pro-Palestinian protest. Police took several people into custody.