NYPD Officer Placed on Modified Duty After Shooting Raccoon on NYC Boardwalk

The incident is under investigation by the NYPD's Force Investigation Division.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 6:23pm

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An NYPD officer has been placed on modified duty after he shot and killed an aggressive raccoon on a Queens boardwalk last week. The incident happened near Beach 121st Street and Ocean Promenade in Belle Harbor on January 22 around 7:45 p.m. Officers tried to move the animal away from the boardwalk when it suddenly charged towards a group of people in an aggressive manner. Bodycam footage shows the officers approaching the raccoon before one officer fired a single shot, hitting and killing the animal.

Why it matters

The shooting of the raccoon on a public boardwalk has raised concerns about the NYPD's use of force protocols, particularly when dealing with wildlife encounters in urban areas. The incident is under investigation to determine if the officer's actions were justified.

The details

According to reports, officers tried to get the aggressive raccoon away from the boardwalk when it suddenly charged towards a group of people. Bodycam footage obtained by local media outlets shows the officers approaching the raccoon before one officer fired a single shot, hitting and killing the animal.

  • The incident happened on January 22, 2026 around 7:45 p.m.

The players

NYPD

The New York City Police Department, which is investigating the incident.

NYPD's Force Investigation Division

The division within the NYPD that is investigating the shooting of the raccoon.

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What’s next

The NYPD's Force Investigation Division is continuing to investigate the incident to determine if the officer's actions were justified.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for clear protocols and training for law enforcement when dealing with wildlife encounters in urban areas, to ensure the safety of both the public and the animals.