NY AG: Officer who fatally shot man who killed NYPD detectives in Harlem was justified
New York Attorney General Letitia James found that Det. Sumit Sulan should not be charged in the death of Lashawn McNeil.
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New York Attorney General Letitia James released the report on the investigation into the death of a man who was shot by an NYPD officer after he killed two police officers in Harlem.
James found that Det. Sumit Sulan should not be charged in the death of Lashawn McNeil. The report went on to say that prosecutors would not be able to disprove that Sulan's actions were justified.
Detectives Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera were shot while responding to a 911 call about a domestic dispute between McNeil and his mother. Sulan was also on the scene and shot McNeil after he ambushed and killed Mora and Rivera.
Still photos from police body cameras were also released. The report states that the footage shows the moments leading up to the shooting incident. It shows Mora asking if there were any weapons in the back of the apartment.
Investigators say the body-worn camera footage shows Rivera calling McNeil to come to the front of the apartment, but he didn't respond. Rivera and Mora walked down the hallway toward a bedroom when McNeil appeared and shot Rivera at close range. Mora retreated and gunfire was exchanged. Mora fell to the ground after he was hit, and McNeil shot him in the back of the head. That's when Sulan shot McNeil two times.
The attorney general's investigation is standard following a police-involved shooting.
Mora and Rivera were promoted to detective at their funerals. Sulan was also promoted to detective during a ceremony.
