New York Attorney General Letitia James released body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Emilson Joan Ordoñez-Banegas, who died on July 13, following an encounter with members of the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) in Centereach. (Warning: Some of the video footage may be disturbing to some viewers.)
The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released footage from body-worn cameras that officers were equipped with during the incident. The release of this footage follows James’ directive that camera footage obtained by her office during an OSI investigation be released to the public to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.
Shortly after 8:30 a.m. on July 13, SCPD officers responded to a 911 call reporting an assault with a knife taking place behind a row of retail stores in Centereach. When officers arrived on the scene, they encountered an individual with lacerations to his hand and neck. While EMTs rendered aid to the injured individual, Ordoñez-Banegas advanced toward the injured individual with what appeared to be a knife in his hand.
One officer discharged his service weapon, striking Ordoñez-Banegas. Ordoñez-Banegas was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a knife at the scene.
Pursuant to New York 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.
The OSI said that the release of this 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.