NYPD Releases Body Cam Video of Queens Police-Involved Shooting

Mayor questions protocols after 22-year-old with mental health issues was shot by officers

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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The NYPD has released body camera footage of a police-involved shooting in Queens last week, where 22-year-old Jabez Chakraborty was shot multiple times after his parents called 911 seeking medical attention for him. Mayor Zohran Mamdani questioned the response protocols, stating Chakraborty needs mental health treatment, not criminal prosecution. The mayor proposed creating a Department of Community Safety to handle such situations with medical professionals instead of solely relying on police.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in how law enforcement responds to mental health crises, and the need for alternative approaches that prioritize de-escalation and access to proper medical care. It also raises questions about police protocols and the potential for escalation when officers are the first responders to a mental health emergency.

The details

The body camera footage shows Chakraborty, who has schizophrenia, holding a kitchen knife and walking towards the officers who repeatedly told him to drop the weapon before firing multiple shots. Police released images of the large knife after the shooting. Chakraborty's family is outraged, stating they called for an ambulance, not the police, and that their son needs mental health treatment, not criminal prosecution.

  • The 911 call was made last week.
  • The police-involved shooting occurred last week.
  • The body camera footage was released by the NYPD on Tuesday.

The players

Jabez Chakraborty

A 22-year-old man with schizophrenia who was shot multiple times by police after his parents called 911 seeking medical attention for him.

Zohran Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City who questioned the police protocols and proposed creating a Department of Community Safety to handle mental health crises with medical professionals instead of solely relying on police.

Robert Boyce

A former NYPD Chief of Detectives who argued that police need to respond to such situations involving weapons, and that pairing them with medical professionals would be a reasonable approach.

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What they’re saying

“I visited Jabez in the hospital and there is no family should have to endure this kind of pain. Jabez has lived with schizophrenia for many years, and this situation underscores just how urgently we need a different and more effective mental health response system that will be safer for New Yorkers who struggle with mental health concerns, for their families and for police officers. Jabez needs mental health treatment, not criminal prosecution by a district attorney.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (abc7ny.com)

“We are shocked and outraged. We called 911 for an ambulance to provide medical attention for our son, who was in emotional distress. We did not call the police. Instead of medical responders, the NYPD arrived and shot our son multiple times right in front of us.”

— Chakraborty Family (abc7ny.com)

“If you're going to send only medical professionals there, understand there's a changing dynamic quickly they can pick up a weapon and charge at them. What are they going to do then? How are they going to defend themselves? That's why the police have to go to these things. Now, if you want to pair them up with a medical professional, that's fine.”

— Robert Boyce, Former NYPD Chief of Detectives (abc7ny.com)

What’s next

The mayor has proposed creating a Department of Community Safety to handle mental health crises with medical professionals, which could lead to policy changes in how the city responds to such situations in the future.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for a more comprehensive and compassionate approach to mental health emergencies, one that prioritizes de-escalation, access to proper medical care, and the safety of both individuals in crisis and the first responders tasked with assisting them.