N.Y.P.D. Shoots, Kills Man Who Allegedly Wielded Knife, Stabbed Two People, Climbed Brooklyn Bridge: It’s The Second Such Fatal Police Shooting This Week

A knife-wielding man was fatally shot by NYPD officers early Friday morning after scaling the cables of the Brooklyn Bridge, triggering a massive emergency response that gridlocked the morning commute.

The incident began around 3:28 a.m. this morning, when officers responded to reports of an emotionally disturbed person on the Manhattan-bound side of the walkway. Upon arrival, police discovered a man who had climbed onto the bridge’s structural cables.

According to NYPD officials, officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and prevent the man from jumping. However, the individual drew a knife, extended it toward the officers, and threatened them. Moments later, police opened fire, striking the man.

Officers pulled the suspect down from the cables and administered first aid. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A knife was recovered at the scene, and police confirmed that the entire confrontation was captured on body-worn cameras.

The police investigation forced authorities to immediately close the Brooklyn Bridge in both directions, cutting off a major artery between Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. The closure caused severe traffic delays throughout the morning rush hour. Manhattan-bound lanes were gradually released, and all lanes were fully reopened by 8:35 a.m..

This marks the second fatal police shooting of an emotionally disturbed person in New York City this week. On Monday, NYPD officers shot and killed a woman who was wielding two knives and advancing on police after attacking bystanders in Times Square. Both incidents remain under investigation.