New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is calling for expanded mental health services instead of criminal charges following a police-involved shooting in Queens involving a man experiencing a psychiatric crisis.
The incident occurred on January 26, when officers from the New York City Police Department responded to an emergency call from a family reporting a mental health episode inside their home. Body camera footage released this week shows officers attempting to de-escalate the situation before one officer fired his weapon.
The man who was shot was identified as 22-year-old Jabez Chakraborty. Police said he was holding a large kitchen knife and advanced toward officers after they entered the residence.
According to footage reviewed by authorities, officers were allowed inside by a family member and encountered Chakraborty in the kitchen area. When they approached, he allegedly picked up the knife and moved toward them as a relative shouted for him to stop.
An officer repeatedly ordered Chakraborty to drop the weapon and briefly closed a door to create distance. However, video appears to show Chakraborty forcing the door open and continuing forward. The officer then fired four shots.
Chakraborty was transported to a hospital, where he was listed in stable but critical condition.
Following the release of the footage, Mamdani issued a statement emphasizing the need for a stronger mental health response system.
“Jabez has lived with schizophrenia for many years,” Mamdani wrote. “I have proposed a Department of Community Safety to build a mental health system rooted in prevention, sustained care, and crisis response, so officers are not burdened with responding to these situations alone.”
He added that Chakraborty “needs mental health care, not criminal prosecution by a District Attorney.”
The mayor also confirmed that an internal NYPD investigation is underway and said his administration would continue releasing relevant body camera footage.
Mamdani’s comments have drawn attention due to his past criticism of law enforcement and previous calls to reduce police funding and restructure the department.
After the shooting, Chakraborty’s family released a statement claiming they had requested medical assistance rather than police intervention.
“We did not call the police,” the family said. “Instead of medical responders, the NYPD arrived and shot our son multiple times in front of us.”
Police disputed that account, telling Fox News that the family had requested an involuntary removal, a procedure that requires both emergency medical services and police officers to respond.
The president of the Police Benevolent Association, Patrick Hendry, defended the officers’ actions, saying they were placed in immediate danger.
“There was no time or space to de-escalate,” Hendry said. “They acted professionally and with restraint under terrible circumstances.”
The case has renewed debate in New York City over how law enforcement handles mental health emergencies and whether alternative response teams should take the lead in crisis situations.
City officials say discussions are ongoing about expanding mental health crisis units and reducing reliance on armed officers in non-criminal emergencies.
