Man shot by police indicted for attempted assault; Mamdani questions protocol but DA moves forward
Queens Man Shot by Police Indicted Despite Mayor Mamdani’s Call for Alternative Approach
A Queens man shot multiple times by New York Police Department officers has been indicted for attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon, moving forward with prosecution despite Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s public statement that criminal charges are not warranted. Jabez Chakraborty, 22, was indicted on one count of first-degree attempted assault and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was held on 50,000 dollars cash bail. The case highlights tensions between the mayor’s approach to police involved shootings and prosecutors’ decisions about how to proceed with charges.
The Incident That Led to the Shooting
The incident occurred on January 26 when Chakraborty’s sister called 911 requesting an involuntary psychiatric transportation for her brother. She told police he had lunged at family members with a kitchen knife. When officers arrived and confronted Chakraborty, he charged at them with the large knife. Police responded by shooting him multiple times. Chakraborty sustained six gunshot wounds: two in the abdomen, two in the chest, and two in the groin area.
Mamdani’s Response and Call for Alternative Approach
After meeting with Chakraborty and his family in the hospital following the shooting, Mamdani issued a public statement saying Chakraborty “should not be prosecuted” and his “handcuffs should be removed.” The mayor also called for Chakraborty to be removed from custody, stating that the young man needed “mental health treatment, not prosecution by a district attorney.” Mamdani questioned police protocol, asking whether the response followed appropriate procedures for handling someone in psychological crisis. He called on the city to “build a mental health response that is rooted in prevention and compassion and crisis care.”
Chakraborty’s Mental Health Background
Defense attorneys have emphasized that Chakraborty was diagnosed with schizophrenia two years before the shooting. They have described the decision to prosecute as “inhumane,” arguing that the young man required mental health intervention, not criminal prosecution. When charges were read to Chakraborty in his hospital bed at Jamaica Hospital’s ICU, he sobbed visibly while connected to medical tubes keeping him alive.
The District Attorney’s Position
The Queens District Attorney’s Office proceeded with prosecution on Friday despite Mamdani’s plea. Prosecutors cited body-worn camera footage showing that officers appeared to follow their training in responding to the threat posed by Chakraborty’s armed aggression. Police officials stated that body camera evidence supported characterizations that an attempted assault of police occurred and that menacing charges would be appropriate. Prosecutors quoted Chakraborty’s sister in court, saying he “could have murdered” her, his parents, and grandparents. They requested that Chakraborty be remanded in custody and that an order of protection be issued for his family. A judge denied these requests.
Chakraborty’s Medical Condition and Defense
Chakraborty’s defense team has emphasized the severity of his injuries. Attorneys stated that “his body was shredded” by police gunfire. The young man cannot stand, walk, or function independently. He remains connected to medical tubes, with his abdominal wounds still open.
Questions About Police Response to Mental Health Crisis
The case raises questions about how police should respond when someone experiencing mental health crisis is armed. Some advocates argue that specialized mental health response teams might better handle such situations. Others contend that when someone is actively charging with a knife, police are justified in using force to protect themselves and others. Mamdani’s intervention in the case is notable given his campaign emphasis on alternatives to incarceration and greater investment in mental health services. His public statements suggest he views this case as emblematic of broader failures to address mental illness through health care rather than criminal justice.
What Comes Next
Chakraborty faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. The case will likely attract continued attention given the mayor’s public position and the questions it raises about police response to mental health crises. For information on mental health resources and crisis intervention, see the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website. Information on New York’s mental health services is available through city government. More on alternative police response models is available from the Peace Alliance.
