Crime

Police Fatally Shoot Knife-Wielding Man Near NYC Times Square

New York police reportedly shot and killed a man in Midtown Manhattan just blocks from Times Square Saturday, according to the New York Post.

Police say officers were trying to stop the man at about 3 p.m. when he began backing down Seventh Avenue near West 38th Street, carrying a knife.

WPIX New York has more information:

The New York Post relates:

The madman, a 30-year-old male, [lunged] at officers, who told him to drop the knife. When he refused to let go of the weapon, they pepper-sprayed him. When he wouldn’t go down, at least one cop fired in plain sight of shocked witnesses, sources said.

“He came out of the subway and flashed two people,” said a witness, who said the victim was African American and sporting dread locks. “He tried to flash a cop, but then took off down Seventh Avenue. They were chasing him down. They cornered him between 37th and 38th and he was still waving his knife.” About 12 cops swarmed the scene, he said.

Shocked tourists and New Yorkers who witnessed the scene Tweeted in shock.

“Waiting for the bus on 7th Ave, a wall of NYPD walking, WITH GUNS, chasing down a madman with knife,” a witness who went by the handle Sim Marshall tweeted. “1 block later. He was shot.”

“I’ve been in NYC for 10 minutes and saw a man shot on 7th ave! Omg….” tweeted one out-of-towner.

NBC4 New York obtained cell phone video of the frightening event (content warning):

One witness, Edgar Delgado, described the scene: “I was standing at the corner of 42nd Street and saw this guy running in the middle of the street, police chasing him… He had a machete type knife. He didn’t want to stop. Police told him to drop the knife. He didn’t. They shot him.”

Another witness said the man was taunting police, saying: “Come on, come get me,” swinging at people with his knife as he ran.

The area near Times Square is typically filled with tourists and other pedestrians at that hour, but no motive has yet been announced.

One man, Dave Basso, drew his own conclusion: “He was either going to get shot or he was going to take someone hostage.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments (95)

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  • Realman30
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 11:42pm

    Excellent police work. Another thug off the street.
    The officer deserves a raise.

    Report Post » Realman30  
    • BryanB
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 4:06am

      @Realman30

      Killing someone is not “excellent police work”, it’s a sometime necessity with the Job.

      Report Post » BryanB  
    • MikeNelson
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 5:23am

      The cop just gave society an enema — we just got rid of a little crap.

      Report Post » MikeNelson  
    • PubliusPencilman
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:40am

      Good thing NYC has tight gun control laws, preventing this man from getting easy access to hand guns and assault rifles! Otherwise, many more people might have been hurt or killed.

       
    • rlimike
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:41am

      Another POS has been eliminated from the gene-pool.

      Report Post » rlimike  
    • Kneale
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 5:00pm

      Couldn’t they have just shot the knife out of his hand? /sark off

      Report Post » Kneale  
  • avgconservative
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 11:24pm

    Oh yeah… New York City… the whole world wants to hear about New York City… NOT.

    How about the rest of the country you freakin’ idiots?

    Report Post » avgconservative  
  • BHOHG2G
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 11:08pm

    What happened was he got hold of a 20oz soft drink… non diet no less!

    Report Post » BHOHG2G  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 11:04pm

    Whatever happened to the idea of shooting to wound. They didn’t have to pump 9 rounds into him to stop him. Cops are the extremist!

    Report Post »  
    • elk043004
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 11:18pm

      Police don’t shoot to wound.

      Report Post »  
    • COFemale
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 11:19pm

      And this is why you are not a cop and should never be one. When you shoot, you shoot to kill not maim. You don’t know what else is in this guys system beside weed. He was also wielding a knife, that is a weapon and he refused to put it down and he ran. Sorry at that point, he is dangerous.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • LeadNotFollow
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 12:40am

      …
      …
      Years ago, I asked a friend that same question (he was a police officer at the time).
      He told me that officers don’t usually shoot to maim. They shoot to kill, because if the criminal survives, the police department and city ends up being sued by the criminal, and the officer who shot him ends up in prison for shooting the criminal.

      Report Post »  
    • Cappy1918
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 1:11am

      No such thing as shoot to wound, sparky. What do you think this is, the Roy Rogers Dale Evans show where the good guys shoot the guns out of the bad guys hands? Saaaaay, I‘ll bet you don’t even own a firearm commenting like that.

      Report Post »  
    • yougottabekidding
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 5:57am

      9 rounds – I hope it was a tight group!

      It was a righteous kill!

      The cop went home! That is the important part.
      Tell me Mr cool under pressure what would you have done? You would have look in those dead lifeless eyes that were coming at you within inches with a knife, first defecating on your cute little self, then felt for a second the burning of that knife blade penetrating your flesh and bones and then excruciating pain as your life just left.

      Report Post »  
    • rclubbe
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:51am

      If ya have to shoot “Shoot to kill”! If someone was in your house threatening you with a knife, what would you do? Me, I would unload on him!

      Report Post »  
    • Msgt Ret
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 12:12pm

      Hey Capt Crunch, while your trying to shoot to wound what do you say to the people in the background who get hit when you “shoot to wound” and miss or the round ricochets off the ground? Shoot to wound is never taught or suggested, if you have to shoot someone it is because there is no other option and you shoot to kill…period.

      Report Post » Msgt Ret  
    • Msgt Ret
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 12:22pm

      In response to leadnotfollow, fear of a lawsuit is always there dead or alive. The decision to shoot is to eliminate the threat and is always the last option.

      Report Post » Msgt Ret  
    • djeffcoat
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 1:25pm

      NYPD never heard of taser guns? They don’t carry tasers in the Big Rotten Apple?

      Report Post »  
    • PaBowHunter
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 2:32pm

      Police officers shoot to stop the threat, which would be a deadly threat. For those who think the officer should’ve used a Taser, you are incorrect. As a matter of fact, if a police officer uses a Taser on a man with a machete, then the police officer should be re-trained in the use of force…..if he/she survives.
      Let’s assume that the cop uses a Taser and it fails, which occurs quite frequently, and the guy charges the cop who is holding a Taser instead of a gun and puts the cop down. Now the bad guy has a machete, Taser and a gun.
      The only time you will see the police use less than deadly force on an individual such as this man is if the man is contained and cannot hurt anybody, incuding the police. Then, usually SWAT will respond and attempt to use less than lethal force on the machete wielding person. But ONLY once SWAT has enough officers on scene to provide lethal cover (in other words: bunch of other cops with guns) in case the Taser, bean bag or other form of less than lethal force fails.
      From what I read the police officer had no choice but to shoot and kill this guy. And for those who think the cop shouldn’t have, would you still think that if your son or daughter were 10 feet beyond that guy? I doubt it. You’d want the cop to shoot the machete wielding madman.

      Report Post »  
    • supermansdad
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:15pm

      @DJEFFCOAT

      You don’t take a non or less-lethal weapon to a gun/knife fight. A person wielding a knife can close the 21ft quicker than most people can draw and fire accurately enough to stop the threat. Even well trained people have a tuff time at 30ft with a draw and fire or less than 21ft with a weapon on the individual.

      Tasers are a great tool but they are not a Star Trek phaser. They can be defeated, they fail and there are situations (such as this one) where they are not appropriate. If it turns into a standoff or last long enough for an officer to effectively deploy a taser, bean bag or X-REP taser then great, other wise drop the knife as ordered or make your peace with God.

      Report Post »  
    • Virgil_Lance
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 1:52am

      Officers use lethal weapons…. to STOP (the suspect’s) actions….. if (that) suspect poses a serious threat to the officer or another individual.

      http://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/officer-safety/use-of-force/continuum.htm

      Report Post » Virgil_Lance  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 10:53pm

    Just heard a video report fm one of the NYC stations. The guy slashed a woman who will be fine. I’d like to see the tox panen when the coroner gets it! Bet he was high as a kite.

    Report Post » Elena2010  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 10:58pm

      Fm the CBS local affiliate

      A thirty-year-old was smoking a joint in front of the Armed Forces Recruiting Center in Times Square on Saturday afternoon when he was approached by police and asked to provide identification. Instead of identifying himself the man donned a blue bandana, pulled out an 11-inch carving knife threatened the responding officers and took off running down 7th Ave, according to police.

      Report Post » Elena2010  
  • woodyee
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:53pm

    They shot him?
    Where’s former NYC mayor David Dinkins? I remember when a Jewish man was stabbed in the subway, and Dinkins was asked about it by the press…His response?

    “That’s why we need gun control…” That’s the trouble with NYC – too many educated idiots to deal with…

    Report Post » woodyee  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 10:06pm

      They finally demonstrated proper gun control. They hit what they aimed at, and it actually was a legit target.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 10:06pm

      Another innocent black man gunned down by NYPD. In every city and town in America innocent black men are getting gunned down. These black angels only want to be our friends.

      Report Post »  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 10:09pm

      DEAD MAN’S NOVEMBER VOTE WILL BE COUNTED.

      Read that story again. The black man was the victim an innocent black victim. No wonder Mayor Bloomberg hates guns. Even though he is dead that black man will still be able to vote in November.

      Report Post »  
    • USAMama
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 3:18am

      Yep, let the protests begin. People will be marching in the streets crying out for “justice”. Better hope the cop who shot him was black or we’ll have more race riots. Just par for the course nowadays. Actually even if he was black he’ll be described by the media as a “white African American”.

      Report Post » USAMama  
    • PubliusPencilman
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:42am

      They have gun control–that’s why this crazy man only had a knife and not a gun. Otherwise, many more people might have been killed or injured.

      Report Post »  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 10:32am

      @Muffy -

      You might want to stay off the streets until whatever you’re smoking wears off. My largest butcher knife only has a blade that is 8 inches long. What the blazes was this “innocent” guy doing with an 11 inch bush knife in NYC? I have a sneaking suspicion he didn’t work at the Botanical Gardens.

      Oh yeah, and it’s always cool to pull out a bandana, wrap it around your face and wave the knife around in front of officers. It‘ll get you on the 11 o’clock news for sure, but not the way you think it might.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
  • www.TopTheNews.com
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:41pm

    Are they going to try and outlaw knives next?

    Report Post » www.TopTheNews.com  
  • Armyof One
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:39pm

    Well thank God he wasn’t banging on one of those damn occupy drums drinking a large soda-pop while smoking transfatty acids…..

    Report Post » Armyof One  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:37pm

    …
    Oh no, they shot Ziggy Marley.
    Whew, my mistake. It wasn’t Ziggy, thank goodness.

    Report Post »  
  • GoodStuff
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:34pm

    One less street thug. Well done, police. First beer is on me.

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:32pm

    …
    Here‘s a video where a witness said the guy slashed a woman’s face.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9r1zHtwxfw

    Report Post »  
    • BryanB
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 4:31am

      @leadnotfollow

      I thought what the News Reporter said in the video was kind of intrusting.

      She said; “The man died of his injuries.”

      Implaying the Suspect being shot by police was an accident.

      Report Post » BryanB  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:30pm

    …
    How soon will it be before the media starts saying his behavior was caused by bath salts?

    Report Post »  
    • Medic109
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:42am

      Not sure if by your post you are implying that bath salts or their reported effects are not real. If that is the case let me tell you. As a paramedic of over 18 years I have never seen a more scary drug on the streets. I have ATTEMPTED to treat patients whacked out on bath salts. Chemical restraints (i.e. Haloperidol, Diphenhydramine, Midazolam, Diazepam) have NO effect on on these patients, nor do the tazers the police officers deploy.

      Report Post »  
  • historyguy48
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:29pm

    Another genius that brought a knife to a gunfight.
    The only thing good I can say about New York was that I got to leave there.

    Report Post » historyguy48  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:25pm

    Honest to goodness.. I started to read the story. When the did the 1st description I {mentally} pictured a Black man. Why?? Because they did a description without stating the OBVIOUS…then I read the African American.
    I agree with previous posters…OBVIOUSLY NEW YORK NEEDS A STRICT KNIFE CONTROL LAW!!!!
    I’ve lamented about it before, but WHAT is this World coming too? WHAT makes people just go crazy?

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
    • godhatesacoward
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:34pm

      Satan.

      Report Post » godhatesacoward  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:40pm

      Did you ever see the movie “Escape from New York”, that might be a good idea only we should use Chicago and LA also.

      Report Post » historyguy48  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 10:36pm

      Yeah, I’ve seen the movie numerous times, but it still doesn’t answer my question…What makes people crazy? I honestly do NOT want to get into a religious debate, but at this point-I have to wonder if …..
      I would leave it at that. An open ended question. A querie into the minds/opinions of my fellow Americans…but it’s more than that.
      We have a SECOND generation of drug users-maybe 3rd. My next door neighbor is 4th generation Welfare…and the “reasoning” is all backed by excuses. Excuses for “why?” you didn’t get that job…never mind you came with a form from Workfirst and TOLD ME you don’t WANT A JOB…just sign the damn papers lady….
      Am I wrong in actually looking forward to an America where we can purge ourselves of ********?
      I REALLY do not understand this world. Jerry Sandusky is a PERFECT example. The Catholic Church has been held to the fire for the EXACT SAME DAMN THING! A creepy pedophile protected by MANY who knew and did nothing.? All those who just wanted to keep their jobs at the expense of others. {never mind that those “others” were defenseless kids}.
      I only hope that voters recognize that Obama has been campaigning since January 24th 2009.

      I feel a pervasive presence of Evil in this World. No, I’m NOT a nutjob…I just feel this.

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:18pm

    …
    Good thing the cop had a gun.
    See, Obama, guns in the right hands are a good thing.

    Report Post »  
    • PubliusPencilman
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:43am

      Yes, in the hands of police officers. No one is trying to take guns away from police officers, smart guy. Gun control laws meant that this crazy man only had a knife and not an assault rifle.

      Report Post »  
    • supermansdad
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:31pm

      Where as in the rest of the nation that allows citizens to carry concealed we shoot them when they pull a knife and then call the cops. Here in OK and TX it happens frequently both in the home and on the street.

      And you do realize that any semi-automatic rifle is by the very definition NOT an assault weapon right?

      Progressives changed the original meaning. Originally it required them to be fully automatic or capable of burst fire. No commercially sold weapon is a true assault weapon.

      Full auto or burst fire.
      Chambered for an intermediate cartridge.
      With a detachable magazine.

      But the big key was the first portion: full auto.

      Report Post »  
    • supermansdad
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:37pm

      On a crowded street much more damage and carnage would likely be caused by a person armed with a shotgun loaded with buckshot than an AR-15 (AR dosn‘t stand for assault rifle but most liberals don’t know that). Case in point: the recent Colorado shooter did the majority of his shooting with such a weapon.

      Not full auto of burst fire, no detachable magazine, not even a 10 round magazine, certainly not an intermediate cartridge so also NOT an assault weapon.

      Report Post »  
  • oicu814me2
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:17pm

    Most likely had a 20oz sugary drink , not a knife..

    Report Post »  
  • republitarian
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:16pm

    He’s got a knife! Better call SWAT. (At 1:43 in the local report)

    Report Post » republitarian  
  • oicu814me2
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:15pm

    1st place Darwin award.

    Report Post »  
  • vtxphantom
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:13pm

    Another ‘Social Disease’ that needs to be corrected. Bring in the CDC, they will fix it.

    Report Post »  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:13pm

    I was listening to the scanner when I heard the call on a knife wielding black going after a woman. When the police arrived there was a crowd around the couple. Police had to call for backup but before they arrived, the perp had slashed the woman. It probably won’t make the news at all.
    I can pick up as far away as Randy Travis on a clear night.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
  • Too_Far_Gone
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:11pm

    It’s New York ..

    And ?

    Report Post » Too_Far_Gone  
    • v15
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 10:08pm

      ….and I thought I knew, but now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City!

      Report Post » v15  
    • mjazzguitar
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 11:58pm

      I never knew that roses became trees.

      Report Post »  
  • chips1
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:09pm

    The magic number is 21. That’s the distance a person with a knife has to maintain or he is dead meat. Too bad he didn’t study the rules.

    Report Post »  
  • Seabass82
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:06pm

    Doesn’t this happen everyday in NY City?

    Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:05pm

    We need more anti-knife laws. Government mandated Sporks by 2016.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:12pm

      Yes .. when you outlaw guns … the next is knives … then baseball bats … rolling pins .. etc.

      Report Post »  
    • tj1961
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 9:18am

      There already many laws on knives……

      Report Post »  
  • cookcountypatriot
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:03pm

    bringing a knife to a gun fight…dumb

    Report Post » cookcountypatriot  
    • Z
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:30pm

      Agreed, you can’t fix stupid.

      Report Post » Z  
    • chips1
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 11:03pm

      Apparently you can!!!!! He was fixed just fine!!!

      Report Post »  
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