Dramatic moment two female cops open fire on crime victim after ‘language barrier’
A New York crime victim dialed 911 to report a burglary – only to be shot by a female cop who rushed to help but couldn’t understand Spanish.
The Bronx resident called 911 on Sunday to report the crime at around 6pm.He placed the call in Spanish and required a translator.
Two female cops were the first on the scene. Surveillance footage shows them advancing along the hallway of the apartment building on East 148th Street.
The NYPD said they were then confronted by the 32-year-old man coming up the stairs clutching a knife.
They told him to drop the weapon in English, according to the cops, before opening fire when he refused.
The officer did put her hand out and extended her hand and told him to wait,’ NYPD Deputy Chief Rohan Griffith told ABC7.
Officials added that bodycam footage shows them verbally and physically attempting to stop the man with hand gestures.
It is feared the victim’s inability to understand English may have ultimately led to the shooting.
Police said they shot a Bronx resident who called to report his air conditioner being stolen after he refused to drop a knife he was holding
However, an investigation is underway to examine whether a language barrier played a part in the incident since the man required a Spanish translator
In a split second the cops open fire and the man was shot in the torso. He was rushed to Lincoln Hospital where he is in a serious but stable condition.
His name has not been released but neighbors identified him as a Mexican fruit and flower vendor.
It is thought that after he placed the 911 call, the seller went to confront the thief in his building.
Police shared a photo of a large butchers’ knife they said he was clutching when the cops arrived.
But locals have been left stunned by the incident and questioned if it was handled properly.
‘Why don’t they send a Spanish cop? Maybe with a Spanish cop that doesn’t happen,’ said neighbor Juan Rivera.
‘Maybe the guy talks to him in Spanish and the guy drops the knife. Not necessary to take the action last night.’
He was shot in the torso during the altercation and rushed to Lincoln Hospital where he is in a serious but stable condition
The NYPD released this image of the knife the 32-year-old was reportedly carrying at the time
‘Yeah, especially those specific words like put it down, those little words that might help the person to understand what they’re saying,’ resident Camilla Rosario added.
Local representative Ritchie Torres called the incident ‘deeply troubling’ and demanded an investigation.
The NYPD is now examining if a language barrier played a role in the events.