New York's attorney general has released police body-camera footage from an ongoing investigation into the June 27 fatal shooting of a minor in Wappingers Falls, but her office has not announced a finding about the officers' actions.
The minor, identified by the initials O.C., died after an encounter with New York State Police, Dutchess County sheriff's deputies and village police officers, according to the attorney general's release. The Office of Special Investigation is examining the death. The released video is evidence from that investigation, not a completed report or charging decision.
Officers from the three agencies responded to a 911 call reporting a suicidal person during the early morning hours of June 27. They found O.C. on the ledge of an overpass bridge holding a knife, the attorney general's office said.
The release says officers spoke with the minor for about 50 minutes. O.C. then stood and, according to the office's description, ran toward at least one officer while holding the knife. Multiple officers fired their weapons and struck the minor. O.C. was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead; officers recovered a knife at the scene.
The attorney general's office has not released a final account resolving every disputed question about the shooting. Its description of the moments before officers fired is preliminary and should not be treated as a legal conclusion. The release did not identify the officers who fired or specify how many rounds were discharged.
Attorney General Letitia James' office said it releases footage obtained during officer-involved-death investigations to increase transparency. Under state law, its Office of Special Investigation assesses reports in which an officer may have caused a death and conducts a full investigation when that threshold is met. That review can include an officer who was on or off duty, and a person who was armed, unarmed or in custody.
The office emphasized that releasing the video does not express an opinion about anyone's criminal responsibility or whether charges will be filed. The footage may be disturbing to viewers. The investigation remains open, and the attorney general's office has not announced when a report or decision will be issued.
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