Full Breakdown
Mayor Mamdani Advocates for Mental Health Treatment Over Prosecution in Police Shooting Case
2/4/2026, 11:06:52 AM
Incident Overview
On January 26, 2026, Jabez Chakraborty, a 22-year-old man with a history of schizophrenia, was shot by New York Police Department (NYPD) officers after he charged at them with a large kitchen knife. The incident occurred in Briarwood, Queens, following a 911 call made by Chakraborty's family, who reported that he was in emotional distress and throwing glass in their home. Upon arrival, officers attempted to de-escalate the situation but ultimately resorted to using their firearms after Chakraborty advanced toward them with the knife. He was shot multiple times and remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Mayor's Position on Prosecution
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly stated that he believes Chakraborty should not face criminal charges, arguing that he requires mental health treatment instead. Mamdani, who has viewed body camera footage of the incident, emphasized the need for a different approach to handling mental health crises. "In viewing this footage, it is clear to me that what Jabez needs is mental health treatment, not criminal prosecution from a district attorney," he said during a news conference. The Queens district attorney's office is currently investigating the incident, with preliminary reports indicating a potential indictment for attempted murder.
Family's Response and Criticism
Chakraborty's family has expressed outrage over the police response, stating that they had called for medical assistance, not law enforcement. "We called for help. We called 911 for an ambulance to provide medical attention for our son, who was in emotional distress. We did not call the police," they stated. They criticized both the NYPD and Mayor Mamdani for their handling of the situation, particularly his initial comments praising the officers involved. The family also alleged that police interrogated them about their immigration status following the shooting, a claim that is under investigation.
Proposed Changes to Mental Health Response
In light of the incident, Mayor Mamdani is advocating for the establishment of a Department of Community Safety, which aims to create a mental health response system that would reduce the reliance on police in such situations. He envisions this department would deploy teams of behavioral health specialists to respond to mental health crises, allowing police to focus on serious crimes. Mamdani has called for expedited implementation of this initiative, which aligns with existing programs like the Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division (B-HEARD), designed to address nonviolent mental health emergencies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the NYPD maintains that officers acted appropriately in response to Chakraborty's behavior, the family and advocacy groups have raised concerns about the adequacy of police training in handling mental health crises. The NYPD has stated that they informed the family that both emergency medical services and police would respond to the 911 call, contradicting the family's assertion that they only requested medical help.
What's Next
The Queens district attorney's office continues to investigate the shooting, and the outcome may influence future discussions on police engagement in mental health crises. Meanwhile, the proposed Department of Community Safety is expected to be a focal point in ongoing conversations about reforming public safety responses in New York City.
