The NYPD released bodycam footage on Thursday showing the tense buildup to the fatal shooting of a man holding a knife and what turned out to be a fake gun. It was the first fatal police encounter recorded on the devices since officers began wearing them earlier this year.
Officers Mark Fleming and Redmond Murphy from the 47th Precinct were sent to Miguel Antonio Richards’ home when his landlord told police he was acting erratically, Chief of Department Carlos Gomez said Thursday.
The officers gave over 50 commands to drop the weapons.
Video does not clearly show it, but NYPD officials say Richards then aimed the gun at Ramos, painting him with its laser sight.
The body cameras were issued two months ago as part of the NYPD’s court-mandated pilot program.
There are currently 670 officers wearing the devices in 10 precincts, and officials expect 1,300 cops to have them by the end of the year.
