By Forum Staff
State Attorney General Tish James on Friday released police body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Win Rozario, an Ozone Park man who died on March 27 following an encounter with City police officers.
The AG’s Office of Special Investigation released two videos from body-worn cameras that the NYPD officers were equipped with during the incident. The release of these videos follows James’ directive that camera footage obtained by her office in the course of an OSI investigation be released to the public in order to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.
Photo Courtesy of AG James
NY Attorney General James said the investigation is ongoing.
On the afternoon of March 27, cops responded to a 911 call at 103rd Street and 101st Avenue in Ozone Park. Upon arrival, officers encountered Rozario, who was allegedly holding a pair of scissors. Two officers fired their service weapons at Rozario. He was rushed to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The NYPD recovered a pair of scissors at the scene.
Pursuant to State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.
James noted that the release of the footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime.
