NYPD releases bodycam video from deadly shooting

<p>The NYPD has released body camera videos taken of a deadly encounter between officers and an armed man.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 14, 2017, 9:13 PM

Updated 2,422 days ago

Share:

NYPD releases bodycam video from deadly shooting
The NYPD released body camera videos Thursday taken during a deadly encounter between officers and an armed man earlier this month.
"Put that knife down," an officer says in one part. "I don't want to shoot you."
As News 12 has reported, police shot and killed 31-year-old Miguel Richards after entering his apartment at 3700 Pratt Ave. in Edenwald for a wellness check at his landlord's request. The responding officers found him armed with a knife and what they later learned was an imitation pistol. The incident is the first fatal police-involved shooting in the city since police began wearing bodycams earlier this year.
Four different officers recorded the incident, which authorities released stitched together in a 16-minute video. 
Click here to watch the bodycam video. (WARNING: Graphic content)
At another point, the officers threw a phone into the room, which they say had one of Richards' friends on the line on speaker phone.
"Talk to your bud," an officer says.
But Richards never utters a word in the video, while officers repeatedly order him to show his hands and drop his weapons.
"Let me see your hand," an officer says in another part. "Let me see your hand. Put your hands up!"
Police officials say the responding officers ordered Richards to drop his weapons more than 50 times before opening fire.
"What is in your other hand?" an officer can be heard asking. "He has got a knife and a gun. He has a gun, drop it."
"I think he has a gun in his hand," another officer says before one of them discharged a Taser. Moments later gunfire erupts.
"Shots fired! Shots fired!" the officers report to dispatch.
The Legal Aid Society says the video raises more questions than it answers.
"Similar to the killing of Deborah Danner, Mr. Richards seems to exhibit no immediate threat to the officers," the society said in a statement. As News 12 has reported, Danner, a 66-year-old mentally ill woman, was shot and killed in her home in the Bronx last year after allegedly brandishing scissors and a baseball bat at an officer.
The NYC Patrolmen's Benevolent Association criticized the release of the videos.
"The release of this footage sets a dangerous precedent that jeopardizes police officers' due process rights and confidentiality protections," the PBA said in a statement.


More from News 12
2:19
Campus police on standby following pro-Palestinian protest arrests at Stony Brook University

Campus police on standby following pro-Palestinian protest arrests at Stony Brook University

2:38
Temps below average for the weekend with possible showers

Temps below average for the weekend with possible showers

0:36
Police: Farmingdale woman scammed Texas man out of $9,000 with fake lotto scheme

Police: Farmingdale woman scammed Texas man out of $9,000 with fake lotto scheme

0:19
Man wanted for stealing package worth $6,000 from East Northport home

Man wanted for stealing package worth $6,000 from East Northport home

1:44
The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

0:33
Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

2:32
Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

2:11
Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

1:29
Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

0:44
Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:22
Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

9 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

9 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!