New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) released its report on July 24 on the death of Bronxite, Kyle Lockett, 21, who was fatally shot by police on Nov. 3, 2022 in the Norwood section of The Bronx.

 

Following what was described as a thorough investigation, including a review of nearby security camera footage, interviews with involved officers, and comprehensive legal analysis, OSI officials said, “The OSI concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers’ actions against Mr. Lockett were justified under New York law.”

 

On the morning of Nov. 3, as reported, NYPD officers [from the Queens Warrant Squad] were conducting surveillance in an unmarked vehicle as part of an unrelated investigation on the corner of East Gun Hill Road and Hull Avenue in Norwood. OSI officials said, “Mr. Lockett was inside a convenience store at 330 East Gun Hill Road. A man, holding a knife, entered the convenience store, punched Mr. Lockett in the face, and stabbed Mr. Lockett multiple times. The man then ran out of the store toward his vehicle. Mr. Lockett, armed with a personal firearm, got up and followed the man out of the store while shooting at him.”

 

They continued, “Seeing this, the NYPD officers got out of their vehicle and made their presence known to Mr. Lockett, who did not drop his weapon. The officers then fired at Mr. Lockett, who turned and ran southbound down Hull Avenue away from the officers. The officers continued to shoot at Mr. Lockett, striking him four times. Mr. Lockett was transported to a local hospital where he died from his wounds. The man who had stabbed Mr. Lockett was treated at a local hospital and did not sustain life-threatening injuries.”

 

OSI officials said under New York’s justification law, a police officer may use physical force to the extent they believe necessary when arresting or attempting to arrest someone for a crime. They said the use of deadly physical force is justified under this law when the officer reasonably believes it to be necessary to defend themselves or another person. They added, “In this case, the officers used deadly force, firing their service weapons, in order to protect themselves and any bystanders from Mr. Lockett, who was running down the street and firing his own weapon.”

 

They concluded, “Under these circumstances, based on the law and the evidence, a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers’ use of deadly force was justified, and as a result, OSI determined that criminal charges could not be pursued in this matter.”

 

According to the Bronx District Attorney’s office, Ajamu Demmerle was charged with second-degree attempted murder and additional charges for allegedly stabbing Kyle Lockett multiple times with a large knife on Nov. 3, 2022. Demmerle’s case continues and he is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

Click here to read our story on the first anniversary of Kyle’s death.