NYPD Officers Won't Be Charged For 2012 Shooting Of Harlem Man, Feds Say

HARLEM, NY — Federal officials will not charge NYPD officers in connection with the 2012 fatal shooting of Harlem man Mohamed Bah, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Joon H. Kim announced.

The U.S. Attorney's office began an independent investigation into Bah's death in 2015 to determine whether a federal civil rights crime could be proved, according to federal prosecutors. Throughout the course of the investigation the U.S. Attorney's office found there was "insufficient evidence" to press federal charges.

Bah's family met with Acting U.S. Attorney Kim Tuesday, federal prosecutors said. During the meeting it was explained that the U.S. Attorney's office was investigating the case under the same standard as criminal cases — beyond a reasonable doubt. In 2013 a Manhattan grand jury declined to bring criminal charges against officers involved in the shooting.

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"After conducting a review of the evidence, including physical and documentary evidence, as well as grand jury and civil deposition testimony, this Office has determined that there is insufficient evidence to meet the high burden of proof required for a federal criminal civil rights prosecution," the U.S. Attorney's office said in a statement.

Bah was shot in West 124th Street and Morningside Avenue apartment on Sept. 25, 2012 after police responded to a welfare call made by Bah's mother, the New York Times reported in 2012.

“She expresses a concern that her son, who is in this apartment, is going to hurt himself or somebody else,” NYPD spokesman Paul J. Browne told the Times in 2012.

A standoff ensued when patrol officers arrived at the apartment and were greeted by Bah, who was standing naked and holding a knife, the Times reported. The NYPD Emergency Service Unit were called to the scene and tried to convince Bah, now clothed, to drop the knife. When Bah attempted to stab one of the officers he was shot in the arm, chest, abdomen and head, the Times reported in 2012.

Photo by Tim Roske/Associated Press