Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP / Getty Images
The New York Attorney General's Office has released bodycam footage of a fatal police shooting that occurred in Poughkeepsie in June. The incident involved 36-year-old Brian Czornyj, who was shot by police after allegedly attacking a member of the Dutchess County Mobile Crisis team with a samurai sword. The footage shows officers repeatedly commanding Czornyj to drop the weapon before shots were fired.
The shooting took place on June 5, when police responded to a 911 call reporting an assault at a home on Fair Oaks Drive. Upon arrival, officers found Czornyj and another man holding a sword. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, Czornyj did not comply, leading to the officer discharging his weapon. Czornyj was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Czornyj had a history of mental health issues, and an application for an emergency risk protection order against him was denied last year, according to Spectrum Local News. The Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation is conducting a full investigation into the incident to ensure transparency and accountability, as stated by the Attorney General's Office.
Paul Ackermann, president of Mental Health America Dutchess County, emphasized the importance of mental health crisis teams, noting that they handle similar situations daily. Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor Rebecca Edwards expressed condolences to all affected and highlighted the ongoing review process to ensure proper protocols are followed.