Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark released a report on Tuesday, March 4 on the investigation into the shooting of 18-year-old Luis Manuel Monsanto by an NYPD officer during a car stop in the Morrisania section of The Bronx on March 6, 2022, as well as video of the incident that left the victim with life-altering injuries.

 

Clark said an examination of the evidence, and a review of police procedures lead to the conclusion by her office that the events that took place resulted in a justified use of force with involving no criminality on the part of the officers involved.

 

“I pray for Mr. Monsanto, and I am sorry his loved ones must endure such hardship,” Clark said. “This devastating tragedy demands a thorough investigation to provide answers to his family and to The Bronx community at large. After careful review of the law concerning justification, an in-depth review of video, and extensive interviews of witnesses, the officers’ conduct meets the elements of justification under the law.”

 

She said Monsanto, 18, was shot near Boston Road and East 165th Street in Morrisania by police while he was driving a Jeep towards one of the police officers as they were trying to conduct a traffic stop of the jeep. She said one bullet struck Monsanto in the head, and he will never fully recover from his injuries.

 

She said the video shows that the vehicle the victim was driving was headed in the direction of a police officer at high speed, nearly hitting him. She said the officers on the scene, witnessing a fellow officer in danger, made a split-second decision to fire four shots at the victim.

 

The report on the investigation can be found here.