A violent apartment assault in Yonkers ended with a suspect dead and multiple victims injured Tuesday night.
YONKERS, NY – A 7:15 p.m. 911 call reporting a man attacking multiple people with a knife inside 165 Bruce Avenue triggered a rapid police response that escalated into a struggle to subdue the suspect and ended with his death after he became unresponsive in custody. Officers arriving at the scene encountered what officials described as an active assault in the building’s entryway.
According to the Yonkers Police Department, officers confronted the suspect as he continued assaulting a resident. “Responding Officers arrived and were confronted with an active, ongoing assault in the entryway, where a male was assaulting a resident,” the department said in a statement. Officers deployed a Taser twice, but both attempts were ineffective.
Response and use of force
Police said officers then physically intervened without escalating force beyond the Taser deployments. “Officers moved in and were able to stop the attack without escalating force and place the suspect into handcuffs,” the department stated. Shortly after being restrained, the suspect became unresponsive.
Emergency aid was immediately provided at the scene. “Medical aid from Officers and emergency medical personnel was rendered immediately, and he was transported to an area hospital,” officials said. “Despite lifesaving efforts, the male suspect was ultimately pronounced deceased.”
The identity of the suspect has not been released pending family notification.
Victims injured and investigation underway
Preliminary findings indicate the suspect had been using drugs prior to the attack. “Preliminary investigation based on a review of victim statements, witness statements, and body-worn camera video revealed that the suspect had been using drugs with a friend before violently attacking two different victims,” the department said.
Victims suffered serious injuries, including “bite wounds and blunt-force trauma inflicted with household objects, including a frying pan and a metal stovetop grate, as well as a laceration consistent with a sharp instrument,” according to the release.
Police emphasized that no additional force beyond Tasers was used. “The same preliminary findings indicate that the only force used by responding Officers was two unsuccessful Taser deployments, and that no physical strikes (punches, kicks, etc.) or impact weapons (e.g., a baton) were used,” the statement read.
An autopsy is underway, with early findings pointing to possible contributing health issues. “During the examination, several significant underlying medical conditions were identified, which may have contributed to this unfortunate outcome,” officials said, adding that toxicology results are pending.
The department said oversight agencies have been notified and an internal probe is ongoing. “In accordance with standard protocol, the Yonkers Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division immediately initiated an investigation and notified the New York State Attorney General’s Office,” the statement said.
Officials stressed that current evidence does not link police actions to the death. “At this time, there is no indication that the Taser deployment or any actions taken by responding Officers caused the suspect’s death,” the department said. “This is the information confirmed at this stage of the investigation. Any claims to the contrary are not supported by the evidence gathered at this stage of the investigation.”
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