NYPD Officer Injured In ‘Friendly-Fire’ While Confronting Knife-Wielding Man At Brooklyn Subway

An NYPD officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer while confronting a suspect armed with a knife at a Brooklyn train station. The incident, captured by body camera footage, occurred on Sept. 15, 2024, at the Sutter Avenue L Train Station in Brooklyn, involving Officers Edmund Mays and Alex Wong as they pursued Derrell Mickles, 37.

Mickles had reportedly jumped a subway turnstile to evade paying the fare, leading to an initial confrontation with the officers. When he returned to the station through an exit gate, Mickles was found holding a knife, prompting officers to give commands for him to drop the weapon. Mickles refused, daring the officers to shoot him.

The officers attempted to use their tasers to subdue Mickles, but they were unsuccessful. Mickles then attempted to flee, leading Officers Mays and Wong to open fire, with Wong discharging six rounds and Mays firing three. During the gunfire, Officer Mays was accidentally struck by one of the bullets.

Two bystanders were also injured in the exchange. Officer Mays and the injured bystanders were transported to local hospitals for treatment.

Mickles was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Despite being shot, Mickles held onto the knife until Officer Mays kicked it away. The suspect was then subdued and taken into custody.

The incident underscores the challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with armed suspects in public places, especially when the use of firearms becomes necessary in crowded environments.