Body-camera footage from a fatal encounter between New York City police officers and a man in Manhattan was released Nov. 13 as the state attorney general’s office continues investigating his death.
Wei Chan died Aug. 16 after officers shot him inside a building on Ludlow Street, according to a news release from Attorney General Letitia James’ office. The Office of Special Investigation obtained the recordings during its investigation.
Officers had gone to the building in response to a 911 report of an assault. As they walked upstairs, they encountered Chan coming down the staircase, allegedly carrying a cleaver, the attorney general’s office said.
According to the office’s account, officers ordered Chan to show his hands and drop the cleaver. He did not comply, and officers fired, striking him.
Chan was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. Officers recovered a cleaver at the scene, the office said.
The footage release follows James’ directive to make camera recordings obtained during these investigations public to improve transparency and public trust. Her office warned that viewers may find the recordings disturbing.
Under New York Executive Law Section 70-b, the Office of Special Investigation assesses reported deaths that a police or peace officer may have caused through an action or failure to act. That responsibility includes cases involving corrections officers and applies whether an officer was on or off duty, whether the person who died was armed or unarmed, and whether that person was in custody or incarcerated.
If the assessment indicates an officer may have caused a death, the office conducts a full investigation. The investigation into Chan’s death remains ongoing; the office said releasing the footage does not establish anyone’s guilt or innocence or indicate whether criminal charges will be filed.
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