Death Of Bed-Stuy Man, 78, Under Investigation By State Officials

BED-STUY, NY — New York Attorney General Letitia James has opened an investigation into the death of a 78-year-old man fatally shot by police in his Bed-Stuy apartment Thursday afternoon.

State law requires the Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation to thoroughly investigate deaths caused by a police officer.

Police have not identified the 78-year-old man whom authorities said had a gun in his hand when he opened his front door to two cops at 330 Lewis Ave. around 1:15 p.m., according to NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey.

"An elderly male lost his life today," Maddrey said. "It's very tough."

Cops had received a call from someone who said his elderly uncle's home might have been broken into, Maddrey said.

Body-cam footage shows that after the man opened his door, he raised his gun, walked toward the officers, and ignored their cries of "no," Maddrey said.

"He clearly charged at officers with his gun," Maddrey said. "We don't know why."

The officers pulled out their guns, opened fire, dropped to the ground and then conducted CPR, the Chief of Detectives said.

The 78-year-old died at an area hospital and the two cops were hospitalized with tinnitus, police said.

Prayer candles appeared Friday outside the man's apartment as neighbors passing by stopped and asked themselves why the elderly man had to die.

"[They] shouldn't have shot," said Mabel Robinson, a neighbor who said she had seen the man around but didn't know him well. "Don't shoot people just because you can."

READ MORE: Bed-Stuy Mourns 78-Year-Old Killed In Fatal Encounter With Cops