NYC Mayor Mamdani Backs Man Who Made Attempt To Kill Cops? Insists 'His Handcuffs Should Be Removed'

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani seemed to voice his support for 22-year-old Jabez Chakraborty, whom many on right-wing politics claim tried to kill a police officer. Mamdani also insisted that Chakraborty should not be in handcuffs, as he is currently expected to be charged by a district attorney.

During a press conference for the Bronx Lane Bus Project, Mamdani was pressed on the incident in which Chakraborty was assumed to be charging at the NYPD police officer with a knife. Chakraborty was shot multiple times as a result, and the Queens District Attorney is expected to press charges against him and his family. Mamdani was pressed on whether he had spoken to the District Attorney regarding the matter.

Mayor Calls for Different Response

'I have not directly spoken with the district attorney, I will say, however, that no family should have to endure this kind of pain. What they need right now is care, dignity, and support, Jabez should not be prosecuted by the district attorney, his handcuffs should be removed,' said Mamdani.

Mamdani has long advocated for a different kind of response, especially when it comes to people who are undergoing mental health issues or episodes. Early this month, when the bodycam footage of the incident was shared by the New York Police Department, Mamdani said this is an example of how the city should handle mental health calls differently, while also working out how and when law enforcement needs to get involved.

'No family should have to endure this kind of pain. Jabez needs mental health treatment, not criminal prosecution by a district attorney, and that is why I proposed creating a Department of Community Safety,' said Mamdani.

During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani pledged to send teams of mental health professionals to respond to 911 calls of a similar nature. Recently, Mamdani added that there would be law enforcement if the situation gets violent.

'When there is a violent situation, such as with a weapon, NYPD will be on the scene,' said the Democratic mayor.

When pressed for clarification on when law enforcement authorities should be involved if the initial call made by Chakraborty's parents did not indicate a weapon, Mamdani said that is a main focus of internal discussions surrounding the creation of his proposed department.

'A lot of this is exactly the focus of the conversations that we're having internally in developing out this Department of Community Safety,' Mamdani said at the time. 'Additionally, I want to make clear that a person experiencing a mental health episode does not always have to be served first or exclusively by a police officer.'

What Happened

The bodycam footage released by the NYPD showed how the officers were allowed in the home and spotted Chakraborty in the kitchen. He is then seen grabbing a knife and moving toward the officers. As they attempt to move back to put a door between them and Chakraborty, the latter was pushing through. The officer would later shoot Chakraborty multiple times, and he is currently on a ventilator.

Chakraborty's family issued a statement following the incident, saying that they called for an ambulance, yet police officers arrived instead. They also described the shooting as shocking and outrageous.

'We called 911 for an ambulance to provide medical attention for our son, who was in emotional distress. We did not call the police. Instead of medical responders, the NYPD arrived and shot our son multiple times right in front of us,' said the family.

A spokesperson for the NYPD, however, said the family called for an involuntary transfer and was aware that aside from the EMS, the police would also be present. Chakraborty is reportedly known to have a history of mental health issues and was throwing glass against the wall prior to the incident.