New Rochelle Man With Gun Fatally Shot By Officer: Police

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A man was shot and killed by a New Rochelle police officer Friday after fleeing a traffic stop and drawing a gun, officials said. The man was identified Saturday as Kamal Flowers, 24, of New Rochelle, according to Mayor Noam Bramson.

Police received a call about a suspicious black Dodge sedan Wednesday and two officers spotted the vehicle Friday night, according to New Rochelle police Commissioner Joseph F. Schaller.

The officers initiated a traffic stop after the driver made several traffic violations in the area of Potter Avenue and Pierce Street, Schaller said. Immediately after being stopped, Flowers, who was in the passenger seat, ran off, according to Schaller.

Officers pursed him and one fired his stun gun and a struggle began, during which the Flowers drew a handgun and pointed it at one of the officers, authorities said.

He attempted to fire the weapon and one of the officers shot him, striking him once, police said.

Flowers was pronounced dead while being taken to a hospital.

The driver took off, police said. The vehicle has a Virginia license plate numbered UPF1991, police said. Schaller said the driver has not been identified.

Bramson said there is a video and audio tape of the shooting that will be released. He said police were not wearing body cameras.

A Ruger 9mm handgun, magazine and rounds were recovered, police said.

The New Rochelle Police Department, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office and the state Attorney General's Office are investigating the case.

Bramson said the city will continue to fully cooperate with county and state officials to ensure a thorough, open and transparent investigations.

"But our challenge extends further," he said. "This tragic event, which would be traumatic under any circumstances, comes at a moment of intense local and national focus on issues of police violence and systemic racism.

"All of us are called to work together, alongside community leaders and advocates, to pursue the broader cause of racial justice and peace in New Rochelle," Bramson said. "That work has already begun and now it will be pursued with even greater urgency."

Rep. Eliot Engel, D- Bronx, called for a state investigation into the shooting, requesting that Attorney General Letitia James lead the inquiry into the death of Flowers, who he said is African American.

“Particularly in the aftermath of the George Floyd murder, as so many people are marching for justice peacefully, our community, and our district deserve a thorough and independent investigation that local law enforcement may not be able to carry out completely in this environment," Engel said in a statement. "The involvement of the Attorney General and her office is vital to providing impartial answers to the community, and ensuring justice in this case.”

Westchester District Attorney Anthony Scarpino Jr. released a statement that said his office is investigating the fatal police-involved shooting.

"As per protocol, we are working with the Attorney General’s Office, which will make a determination on whether or not they will take the case, pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order," he said. "Our office is conducting an independent thorough and transparent investigation and we have called upon the New Rochelle police to release any and all video of the shooting.”