A knife-wielding man was fatally shot by New York City police on the cables of the Brooklyn Bridge Friday after he ignored repeated orders to drop his weapon, authorities said.
Police identified the incident as a use-of-force encounter after the man moved within feet of an officer attempting to assist him in climbing down from the bridge. The shooting occurred shortly before 3:30 a.m., prompting the temporary closure of the landmark and causing traffic delays.
Officers from the NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit spent approximately one hour attempting to de-escalate the situation, according to Gerard Dowling, commanding officer of the unit. During this time, they communicated with the man via a safety harness system attached to the bridge cables. Authorities stated that the man told responding officers he wanted to die and claimed to possess a bomb, though no explosive device was recovered at the scene.
The man began descending a bridge cable rapidly, with officers positioned below him. When he closed within three feet of an officer, he raised his arm holding the knife toward the officer. An officer on the bridge’s roadbed then discharged his firearm once, striking the man. Responders rendered aid immediately, but the individual was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Police recovered a knife and a flashlight from the scene, authorities confirmed. The incident was recorded on police body cameras, and the NYPD has initiated an internal review as per standard procedure following officer-involved shootings.
The bridge reopened to pedestrian and vehicular traffic shortly after 8:30 a.m. Friday, approximately five hours after the shooting.
Context and Recent Incidents
The shooting follows a separate officer-involved shooting in Times Square on Monday, in which a woman fatally stabbed one person and injured another before being shot by police. Erin Piacenti, 32, a Bank of America vice president returning to work after maternity leave, was killed in that attack. The suspect, Pamela Cisneros Lopez, 49, was taken into custody after a confrontation that included the use of a conducted energy device.
Officer Training and Response Protocol
Dowling emphasized that the officers involved are specially trained for high-risk situations, including de-escalation techniques and compassionate engagement with individuals in crisis. He stated that the team followed established protocols throughout the encounter.
The identity of the man shot on the Brooklyn Bridge has not been released by authorities. The NYPD has not provided further details regarding his background or the circumstances leading to his presence on the bridge cables.
Ongoing Investigations
The incident remains under review by the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division, which examines all use-of-force incidents involving officers. The New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board has also opened an inquiry into the encounter.
Authorities have not disclosed whether the man made any prior threats or had a documented history of mental health concerns. The investigation is ongoing, and additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available.