NYC Officer Shot In ‘Friendly-Fire’ Incident While Subduing Knife-Wielding Suspect

A New York City police officer was injured in a friendly-fire incident while subduing a man armed with a knife at a Brooklyn train station, according to newly released body camera footage. The officer, Edmund Mays, was hit by a bullet during the exchange of gunfire with the suspect, Derrell Mickles, at the Sutter Avenue L Train Station on Sept. 15, 2024.

The confrontation started when Mickles, 37, allegedly jumped a subway turnstile, leading Officers Mays and Alex Wong to confront him. Video footage shows Mickles reentering the station, this time through the exit gate, before the officers encountered him again on the northbound train platform.

Mickles, clutching a knife, refused repeated commands from the officers to show his hands and drop the weapon. As tensions rose, Mickles told the officers to “shoot me” and continued to back away, eventually entering the train. Despite attempts to subdue him with tasers, Mickles remained on his feet and eventually tried to flee the scene.

As Mickles ran, both officers opened fire, with Wong discharging six shots and Mays firing three. Mickles was brought down, but during the exchange, Mays was accidentally shot. “I’m shot,” Mays is heard saying in the body cam footage.

In addition to Mays’ injury, two bystanders were reportedly struck by gunfire during the incident. All three were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Mickles, who continued to hold onto the knife after being shot, was subdued when Officer Mays kicked the weapon away from him. Mickles was charged with multiple crimes, including attempted assault, menacing of a police officer, and criminal possession of a weapon.

The NYPD has highlighted the quick actions of the officers, though the incident underscores the dangers law enforcement faces when dealing with armed suspects in public spaces.