Suspect In Violent, Drug-Fueled Attack Has Died While In Police Custody: Yonkers Police Department

YONKERS, NY — A suspect in a drug-fueled attack at a Westchester apartment building has died in custody, after being subdued by police.

On Tuesday, just after 7:15 p.m, the Yonkers Police Department received a call from a woman reporting that a man was attacking several people inside an apartment on Bruce Avenue.

The caller also reported that the man was armed with a knife, according to police. Responding officers were confronted with an active, ongoing assault in the entryway of the building, where a man was assaulting a resident, according to YPD.

Officers initially deployed a Taser, which was ineffective, cops said. A second Taser was deployed, but was likewise unsuccessful, according to the department.

Officers moved in and were able to stop the attack without escalating force and place the suspect into handcuffs, according to police. A short time later, however, police say the man became unresponsive.

Medical aid from officers and emergency medical personnel was rendered, and the man was rushed to the hospital, where he was later declared dead.

The name of the suspect is not being released at this time, pending family notifications, authorities said.

"At this time, there is no indication that the Taser deployment or any actions taken by responding Officers caused the suspect's death," the Yonkers Police Department said in a statement. "The Internal Affairs Division will continue its investigation in coordination with the New York State Attorney General's Office to ensure a thorough and transparent review.
This remains a tragic outcome, and the City of Yonkers and the Yonkers Police Department extend their sincere condolences to the individual's family during this difficult time."`

Police officials said the Yonkers Police Department's Internal Affairs Division has opened an investigation and notified the New York State Attorney General's Office.

"Preliminary investigation based on a review of victim statements, witness statements, and body-worn camera video revealed that the suspect had been using drugs with a friend before violently attacking two different victims," the YPD said. "The same preliminary findings indicate that the only force used by responding Officers was two unsuccessful Taser deployments, and that no physical strikes (punches, kicks, etc.) or impact weapons (e.g., a baton) were used."

Police said that the victims of the attack sustained significant injuries, including bite wounds and blunt-force trauma inflicted with household objects, including a frying pan and a metal stovetop grate, as well as a laceration consistent with a sharp instrument.

"An autopsy is underway,"the YPD said. "During the examination, several significant underlying medical conditions were identified, which may have contributed to this unfortunate outcome. Toxicology results are pending and may provide additional insight into the incident."