NY Attorney General Releases Video, Family Demands Justice
The New York Attorney General’s office has released disturbing footage captured on police body cameras during a deadly encounter in Queens. The video shows the shooting of 19-year-old Win Rozario by NYPD officers who were called to the family’s home for a mental health crisis.
Family Calls for Accountability
The release of the video sparked outrage from Rozario’s family who maintain that the officers should be held accountable for his death. “The video makes it clear Win should be alive,” a statement from his mother, brother, and father reads. They accuse the officers of escalating the situation and using excessive force.
Attorney General Investigates Shooting
Attorney General Letitia James released the body camera footage worn by Officers Salvatore Alongi and Matthew Cianfrocco as part of an ongoing investigation into the March 27th shooting. New York law mandates the Attorney General’s office review all deaths involving law enforcement.
Police Justify Shooting
Police initially claimed the officers had no choice but to shoot when Rozario approached them with scissors. However, the released footage raises questions about that justification.
Moments Before the Shooting
The video shows the officers entering the Rozario residence. Win, standing in the kitchen, grabs scissors from a drawer and walks towards the officers. An officer discharges a Taser. Win’s mother, Notan Ava Costa, intervenes, holding her son and taking the scissors away. She places the scissors on a chair and pleads with the officers, “Don’t shoot!”
Fatal Shots Fired
Despite his mother’s actions, Win takes one step towards the officers and is shot. The footage shows him stop advancing, but three more shots are fired in rapid succession. Win flinches, staggers, and eventually falls to the floor.
