New York City police fatally shot a 54-year-old man on Sunday afternoon after responding to a domestic assault call in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The incident occurred at an apartment building on Ludlow Street, near Rivington Street, just after 4:06 p.m. Officers found a trail of blood in the lobby and leading up the staircase before encountering the suspect.
Officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) reported that the man, later identified as Wei Chan, was descending the stairs while holding a large butcher knife. Police stated that officers issued repeated commands for Chan to drop the weapon and show his hands, but he continued advancing toward them. When Chan lunged at officers, police deployed a taser, which was ineffective, and then fired at least four shots, striking Chan. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
During the confrontation, officers also discovered Chung Chan, 75, Wei Chan’s father, in an upstairs apartment with a laceration to his head. The nature of the injury remains under investigation, and Chung Chan was transported to a hospital for treatment. Police described the incident as a domestic-violence dispute and noted that Wei Chan had injured his father prior to their arrival.
Officer injuries and response
Four members of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) were also taken to a hospital with minor injuries after responding to the scene. Assistant Police Chief Melissa Eger confirmed that officers entered the building after receiving multiple 911 calls about an assault in progress. She emphasized the officers’ actions, stating, “Their actions are a reminder of how officers run towards danger, not away from it.”
Mental health history noted
Police confirmed that Wei Chan had a documented mental health history with the department but no prior criminal record. Mayor Zohran Mamdani was briefed on the incident and stated that further details would be provided as the investigation continued.
Ongoing investigation
Authorities have not yet released additional information about the relationship between Wei Chan and his father or the circumstances leading to the confrontation. The NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau is reviewing the incident, as is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.