The NYPD released in early March the bodycam footage in relation to the police-involved shooting of Michael Dotel, 30, a father of two, that took place amid a domestic violence incident at 2865 Creston Avenue in Bedford Park on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. The video can be watched via the YouTube link further below.

 

As reported, the 30-year-old, emotionally disturbed Dotel, a resident of the supportive housing complex run by Project Renewal, died following the shooting at his home, police said. Two family members, including his mother, had been stabbed prior to Dotel being shot.

 

During a press conference held on Saturday, Dec. 23, the day of the incident, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said, “This morning, two of our officers responded to families calling for help. As they responded quickly, they were met with a chaotic, fast-moving situation where they showed great composure, and saved the life of a 45-year-old mother.”

52nd Precinct Officer-Involved Shooting December 23, 2023 Video courtesy of the NYPD

Chell said that at around 11.15 on the morning of the incident, two uniformed police officers from the 52^nd Precinct in Bedford Park responded to 2865 Creston Avenue, 13th Floor, Apt G. “As they entered that floor, they were met by a family member who was the caller of 911,” he said. “As they were approaching the door, a female, 19, came screaming out of the apartment with a parent with a slice wound to the facial area.”

 

He continued, “The cops entered the apartment, they observed in a very small, confined space, a subject holding his mother in a front headlock, with a large carving knife to the throat. She was clearly injured and bleeding from that area. Our officers gave numerous commands to drop the knife. However, our officer discharged his firearm, striking the subject once in the head, and saved the mother’s life. He was rendered aid, he was removed to hospital where he has since been pronounced (deceased).”

Chell added at the time, “Everything I just described to you is clearly a hectic situation depicted on body-worn camera. You know every day in the city, our cops respond to calls for emotionally disturbed people and it’s a tough job for our cops to handle these. They always look for the best outcome for the family of the emotionally disturbed person.”

 

He went on to say, “Today was a complete tragedy during this holiday season. Thank God that that our cops got here quickly and saved this family from further harm.” He said that the family member armed with the knife told one family member he was going to kill his family and kill him.”

Chell went on to praise who he described as “our two young cops” saying they got there quickly and showed composure. “Their training kicked in, and saved mom’s life and saved this family’s life,” he said at the time.

 

Asked about the experience of the officers, Chell said, “All these officers have a little over two years on the job. They had to make these decisions, again life and death decisions, quickly and again, saved the mother’s life.” He said the officers were uninjured.

Asked about the layout of the apartment, Chell said, “The apartment is a two-bedroom apartment but it’s extremely small. When they opened that front door, they were standing in a very small kitchen and a very small living room, so when they walked in, it was right in front of these officers. You’re talking approximately 5 feet, and this officer had to make these decisions.”

 

In response to other questions, Chell said, “As far as what triggered this, we don’t know what triggered this. We don’t know. We don’t want to speculate. As far as this specific apartment goes, Apt 13G, there has been a history of domestic violence. In terms of his mental status, we don’t have anything documented with the police department.”

 

After the incident, a women was seen being wheeled out of the building by paramedics. Her right eye was bandaged.

In response to a question about any general problems within the building itself, Chell said at the time that they hadn’t gotten into investigating the building generally and were just focused on the apartment itself.

 

On Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, police said the deceased had been identified as Dotel of Creston Avenue, Bronx, NY. Dotel’s heartbroken mother later spoke to Norwood News about the tragedy and despite being saved, was critical of the police response.

 

On release of the bodycam footage, police reported that the 911 caller said Dotel may have ingested narcotics.

 

The building in question, constructed under Phase I of the Bedford Green supportive housing development project, was completed towards the end of 2021, and residents started moving in in January 2022. A formal ribbon-cutting opening ceremony, attended by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, among others, took place in July 2022, as reported. The Phase II ground-breaking took place in December 2022, as reported.

 

As reported, in early December [2023], police released video footage of a separate police-involved shooting which took place in Kingsbridge on the elevated subway tracks over Broadway and 231st Street on April 13.

Local services for those affected by domestic or gender-based violence are available in The Bronx. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or gender-based violence, call 311 and ask to be connected to a NYC Family Justice Center or walk-in Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call the NYC 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline on 1-800-621-4673, or visit the NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence for more information.

 

If you are in immediate danger, if you can, dial 911.

Editor’s Note: Norwood News is unable to confirm what the mental health status of the deceased was nor if his mental health contributed to this incident. However, help is available to those with a serious mental illness. See attached flier above for more details. 

  

 

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