NYPD Officers Fatally Shoot Man Wielding Knife on Lower East Side

NYPD officers shot and killed a 54-year-old man on Sunday afternoon after he moved toward them wielding a large butcher knife. This incident took place at a Lower East Side apartment building.

The officers responded to multiple 911 calls about an ongoing assault around 4 p.m. The location was 126 Ludlow Street. Upon arrival, they discovered a blood trail leading up a staircase. This detail was shared by NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger during a news conference later that evening.

While ascending the stairs, police encountered the suspect, identified as Wei Chan. He was armed with what authorities referred to as a substantial butcher knife.

Officer Commands Ignored

Eger stated, “Officers repeatedly instructed the man to show his hands, trying to get him to drop the weapon.” Despite these commands, Chan continued advancing with the knife. The officers then discharged their weapons, striking Chan. He was transported to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead.

Assistant Chief Eger mentioned that while Chan did not have a criminal history with the department, he had a recorded mental health history.

Victim’s Father Injured

Officers found Wei Chan’s 75-year-old father, Cheung Chan, suffering from a head laceration that investigators said was inflicted by Wei Chan before the police arrived. Cheung Chan was also taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.

The officers involved in the incident were taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Eger highlighted, “Their actions remind us of how officers face danger head-on, not retreating from it.”

Mayor’s Statement and Investigation

Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated he was briefed on the event and confirmed an internal investigation would take place. He also noted that footage from body-worn cameras would be made public as part of the investigation.

The investigation into the incident’s details is ongoing.