The New York City Police Department released body camera footage on Tuesday, , detailing the shooting of of 22-year-old Jabez Chakraborty during a mental health crisis in Queens. The incident, which left Chakraborty in intensive care in stable but critical condition, has quickly ignited a debate about the appropriate response to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies, and is drawing scrutiny to the role of police in these situations.
The footage shows officers responding to a 911 call placed by Chakraborty’s family, who were concerned about his well-being. According to the NYPD, Chakraborty was holding a large kitchen knife and charged at the responding officers. The officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, repeatedly ordering him to “put the knife down,” but Chakraborty continued to advance. A woman, believed to be a family member, attempted to intervene, but was unable to prevent Chakraborty from moving toward the officer with the weapon. The officer then discharged his firearm, striking Chakraborty four times.
The release of the bodycam footage comes amidst calls from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for a shift in how the city handles mental health-related 911 calls. Mamdani has advocated for prioritizing mental health treatment over criminal charges in cases like Chakraborty’s, and for exploring alternatives to police intervention. “It is clear to me that what Jabez needs is mental health treatment, not criminal prosecution from a district attorney,” Mamdani stated, adding that a range of options should be available beyond solely relying on police officers.
The Chakraborty family, however, has expressed criticism of both the police response and the Mayor’s initial comments. In a statement released on Wednesday, they accused law enforcement of escalating the situation unnecessarily. They argued that the officer drew his weapon and issued commands too quickly, and that the incident could have been handled differently. The family also stated they initially called 911 requesting an ambulance to provide medical attention for their son, who was experiencing emotional distress, and did not intend for police to be dispatched. They are now calling for the Queens District Attorney’s office to drop any potential charges against Chakraborty and for the NYPD to release additional footage from the incident.
The family’s statement highlights a growing concern that police officers are often ill-equipped to handle individuals in the midst of a mental health crisis. They advocate for a system where trained mental health professionals, rather than law enforcement, respond to calls for assistance in such situations. “Given our experience, and that of many other families, we call on the Mayor for systems where we can call for responders who are not police,” the family wrote. “We call for changes where the needs of families in the aftermath of such incidents are centered rather than further traumatized over and over.”
The Queens District Attorney’s office is currently investigating the incident, and preliminary reports suggest prosecutors are considering potential charges of attempted murder. This potential prosecution is at odds with Mayor Mamdani’s stated desire to prioritize mental health treatment over criminal charges.
The Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry defended the officer’s actions, stating that the body camera footage “makes it clear that these police officers walked into an unpredictable, fast-moving and dangerous situation.” He added, “There was no time or space for them to de-escalate the situation before they were forced to act. They did their job professionally and with restraint under terrible circumstances.”
The incident is prompting a broader conversation about the role of police in responding to mental health crises, and the need for alternative approaches that prioritize de-escalation and access to mental health services. Mayor Mamdani’s call for change reflects a growing movement to reimagine public safety and to address the root causes of crises, rather than relying solely on law enforcement intervention. The case of Jabez Chakraborty is likely to fuel this debate and to shape future policy decisions regarding mental health response in New York City.
