Body cam footage has been released that shows 19-year-old Win Rozario being killed by NYPD officers in his Queens home after his family pleaded the legal authorities.
The video was made public on Friday by Attorney General Letitia James and shows Rozario’s mother and younger brother begging officers not to shoot him.
James released footage from body cameras worn by Officers Salvatore Alongi and Matthew Cianfrocco as part of an investigation into the March 27th killing of Rozario. The attorney general is required by law to review any fatal encounter with law enforcement.
The officers first came to Rozario’s home after he called 911 during a mental health crisis, and began using force when he started coming at them with a pair of scissors, according to the NYPD. Police commanders at the time say the officers had no choice but to shoot him.
Win Rozario’s family called on the policemen to be fired and charged with murder after the footage of the shooting was released.
“The video that was released makes it clear that Win should be alive but the police came and murdered him in our kitchen without any care for him or us,” a statement from Rozario’s mother, brother, and father read. “The police created a crisis and killed him in cold blood.”
The body cam footage shows police arriving at the family’s Queens home shortly before 2 p.m., being greeted at the door by Rozario’s 17-year-old brother, Utsho Rozario, who said Win was having a “mental episode” and didn’t know what he was doing.
After the officers entered the house, the situation quickly escalated as Rozario grabbed a pair of scissors and began walking toward the police. His mother was able to grab him and take the scissors away but was ordered to step aside by the cops, who had fired a handgun once and their Tasers multiple times.
As Rozario again approached the police with the scissors, they prepared to fire as they continuously ordered his mother to stay away, who was being held back by Utsho. “Please do not shoot my mom!” He pleaded.
“Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!” the family screamed, as three more shots were heard and Rozario fell to the ground.
The NYPD said in a statement that it is cooperating with the investigation, and the officers were placed on modified assignment, meaning they are not carrying any firearms.
