Police said a police-involved shooting involving an armed, emotionally disturbed person occurred at 2685 Grand Concourse in Kingsbridge Heights on Sunday morning, March 26.

 

The incident comes on the back of an announcement, as reported, in mid-December by New York City Mayor Eric Adams of a new plan, regarded as controversial by some, to provide outreach and care to people with untreated severe mental illness, part of which involves initial contact with police.

 

A police spokeswoman said the incident occurred at around 10.04 a.m. and that the victim remains in critical condition.

 

During a press conference held at 1 p.m. on the day of the incident, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell told those gathered that at around 10 a.m. on Sunday, members of the 52nd Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding an emotionally disturbed person, aged 43, armed with a knife.

 

Chell said, “The caller, a father, described his adult son as having a medical episode, describes he feels he’s being followed. He goes on to say, ‘If any cops show up here today, I will kill them’.” Chell added that when two officers showed up at the location, they were met by the father and began to enter the walkway to the vestibule of the building, later explaining that the incident began in an apartment.

Chell continued, “At this time, the subject comes out and clearly becomes agitated when he sees the officers, drops a bag, produces a large kitchen knife, starts advancing towards the officers. He’s given numerous instructions to drop the knife at which time he does not comply and results in the officers striking the subject.”

 

“The officers immediately rendered aid and called for an ambulance,” Chell said. “The subject was brought to a local hospital in critical condition,” he added. He went on to say that the victim was confirmed as being in critical condition. Police were asked by a reporter if there was another way the incident could have been handled e.g. by medical professionals given it was an emotionally disturbed person. Police said the department were reviewing the tapes but that the officers got to the location quickly and the incident unfolded within the space of about 28 seconds. He said the incident was recorded on the officers’ body cameras and would be reviewed accordingly.

 

Norwood News spoke to several residents of the area but nobody had seen the incident. One woman said she was told from a friend who was a resident of the building that the shooting occurred on the street in front of 2685 Grand Concourse but was unable to confirm anything further.

 

One young woman who lives across the street from the incident said she heard from her cousin that he (her cousin) knew the person who was shot. The victim’s name was not shared by police.

 

Norwood News attempted to reach the family for comment but were unsuccessful. Gothamist later reported that the father of the victim, identified as Santo de la Cruz, reportedly confirmed to the publication that he did not dial 911 but 311 as his son, identified as Raul de la Cruz, experienced “a schizophrenic episode.”

The publication also reported that the father asked 311 for medical authorities to commit his son before something went awry. The dad also reportedly said Raul did not understand English, and that police had been shouting at him in English. Gothamist further reported that they were informed by 311 officials that 311 calls are automatically routed to the NYPD if an incident relates to a mental health crisis and the impacted person is armed, and that police decide which department will be dispatched to handle the situation.

 

As the press conference was wrapping up on the day of the incident, Norwood News asked if the family had stated in their call that they felt they were in danger when they requested help. Police did not respond to our question.

 

Norwood News attempted to reach the family for comment after the incident but were unsuccessful. Gothamist later reported that the father of the victim, identified as Santo de la Cruz, reportedly confirmed to the publication that he did not dial 911 but 311 as his son, identified as Raul de la Cruz, was experiencing “a schizophrenic episode.”

 

The publication also reported that Santo asked 311 for medical authorities to commit his son before something went awry. The dad also reportedly said Raul did not understand English and that police were shouting at his son in English.

 

Gothamist further reported that they were informed by City officials that 311 calls are automatically routed to the NYPD if an incident relates to a mental health crisis and involves a person who is armed, and that police decide which department will be dispatched to handle the situation.

 

Protestors, and some family members of Raul de La Cruz, including his brother, Victor, held a rally outside the 52nd Precinct in Norwood on Friday, April 7, 2023, demanding the release of the names of the two officers involved in the shooting. A further story will follow.

 

If you or someone you know needs support, call 888-NYC-Well, text “Well” to 65173 or visit nyc.gov/nycwell.

 

*David Greene contributed to this story