The shooting happened around 5:30 a.m. near East New York Avenue and Amboy Street in Brownsville.
Police say that 35-year-old Justin Coleman walked into the front vestibule of the 73 Precinct and tried to open a second set of doors, but they were locked. Without saying a word, he left and headed to a back area with signs that said only police personnel were allowed.
Coleman then walked into another entryway and came face-to-face with an officer. He then pulled out a knife and slashed the officer in the face.
"He slashed her in the face, but then she was able to fight him off. He then ran out of the back of the precinct, and an officer deployed a taser in attempt to subdue the individual, but was not effective in subduing him. Both the initial attack and taser deployment are captured on cameras from the inside and the outside of the precinct," said NYPD Chief of Patrol Phillip Rivera during a Sunday morning press conference.
Rivera said that several officers engaged in a foot pursuit of the suspect and followed him for several blocks. Police eventually confronted the suspect, armed with a knife, and repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon. The suspect lunged at an officer with the knife when police discharged their firearms and struck him multiple times.
First responders transported Coleman to Brookdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The female officer who was slashed is in stable condition is expected to be OK. Two other officers who came to her aid suffered tinnitus as a result of the shooting.
Coleman lived with his mother only about a block away from the precinct. His neighbors say he struggled with his mental health.
"He was a great guy, very peaceful. Never seen him in a violent manner. It hurts hearing what had transpired earlier today. And I still cannot wrap my head around it," said Anthony Patterson.
Patterson also wonders why Coleman did this, and if his death could have been avoided.
"I would love the public to see all the video cams, all the body cams and everything that's necessary. But when it comes to policing and mental health, we really have to curve the bias and change how policing is being done," he added.
In a message posted to social media, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he visited the officer slashed during the incident.
"She is going to recover and is in good spirits, but this incident is a reminder of the danger our brave men and women in uniform face every day protecting our city. Thank you for all you do," Adams said.
A large butcher knife, about 14 inches long, was later recovered at the scene.
Police say the officers did attempt to subdue Coleman with a taser, but it was not effective. Witnesses tell Eyewitness News that before they heard the gunfire, they heard the officers telling him to drop his knife, saying 'we don't want to do this.'
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