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New York City police fatally shoot knife-wielding man on Brooklyn Bridge cables

Officers fired once at an armed man who descended toward them after an hour-long standoff on the suspension bridge.

The short version

  • New York City police shot and killed an unidentified man after he climbed the cables of the Brooklyn Bridge with a knife.
  • Specialized rescue officers negotiated with the man for roughly an hour before he descended the cable toward them with his weapon raised.
  • An officer stationed on the bridge roadway fired a single fatal shot when the man approached within three feet of harnessed officers.
  • The NYPD's Force Investigation Division is reviewing the shooting, and body-worn camera footage is slated for release.

Key facts

  • Police responded to a 911 call around 3:28 a.m. regarding a man walking along the beams and cables of the Brooklyn Bridge.[Associated Press · The Guardian]
  • Emergency Service Unit officers attached themselves to safety harnesses and spent approximately an hour attempting to persuade the man to safely climb down.[Associated Press · The Guardian]
  • According to police, the man told officers he wanted them to kill him and claimed to have an explosive device.[Associated Press · The Guardian]
  • An officer standing on the bridge's roadbed fired one shot, striking the man after he came within three feet of an officer with an extended knife.[Associated Press · The Guardian]
  • The man was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.[Associated Press · The Guardian]
  • Authorities recovered a knife and a flashlight from the scene.[Associated Press · The Guardian]
  • The incident caused temporary bridge closures and traffic disruptions during the morning commute.[Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • The identity of the deceased man has not yet been made public by authorities.[Associated Press · The Guardian]
  • Police stated that their investigation into whether the man actually possessed a bomb remains ongoing.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.