Officer shoots, kills Bronx man holding kitchen knife to mother's neck, NYPD says
NEW YORK -- Police in the Bronx shot and killed a man who they said was holding his mother at knifepoint Saturday.
Police described a chaotic and fast-moving situation after the 911 call came in at around 11 a.m.
"The subject told his family member he was going to kill his family and kill him," said NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell.
When police arrived at his apartment on Creston Avenue in the Bedford Park section, they said the 19-year-old family member who called 911 ran out screaming and had been slashed in his face.
Two officers, each on the job for a little over two years, had to make a quick decision when they got inside the small two-bedroom apartment, where there was a history of domestic violence, police said.
The officers reportedly found the man in the kitchen. They said he had his 45-year-old mother in a headlock and was holding a large kitchen knife to her throat. She was already injured and bleeding from her head, police said.
"You know, every day in the city, our cops respond to calls to emotionally disturbed people. And it's a tough job for our cops to handle these. And they always look for the best outcome for the family and for the emotionally disturbed person. Today was a complete tragedy during this holiday season. Thank God our cops got here quickly and saved this family from further harm," said Chell.
Chell said the officers gave the 30-year-old man numerous commands to drop the knife, but he did not. One of the officers fired and shot the man in the head.
"The training kicked in, save mom's life, and save this family's life," said Chell.
The officers rendered aid to the woman's son before he died at the hospital. The officers were not hurt.
It was not immediately clear what started the assault.
