Video captures incident of suspect stabbing Brooklyn police officer in the face before being fatally shot.
In a dramatic confrontation captured on surveillance video, a 35-year-old man entered the 73rd Precinct stationhouse in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and launched an unprovoked attack on a police officer with a butcher knife. The incident, which occurred on September 7, has raised questions about police engagement protocols and public safety.
The attack took place shortly after 5:30 a.m., when Justin Coleman, dressed in a winter parka, approached the rear entrance of the stationhouse. This entrance is designated as off-limits to the general public. Officer Venus Pagan engaged Coleman in conversation as he entered the vestibule. During this brief interaction, Coleman suddenly drew a foot-long knife, slashing Pagan across the face. Despite being injured, Pagan managed to grapple with the suspect, preventing further harm. Coleman fled the scene but was pursued by officers who arrived to assist.
Subsequent video footage reveals the chaotic pursuit that ensued. Officers Ernest Joseph and James Manginelli, who were present during the incident, confronted Coleman outside as he brandished the knife. Despite attempts to subdue him with a Taser, Coleman continued to advance towards the officers. In response to the immediate threat posed by Coleman, the officers fired a total of 13 rounds, ultimately striking him. After collapsing by the curb, Coleman was transported to Brookdale Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Officer Pagan was treated on-site for her injuries but did not sustain life-threatening wounds. Both Joseph and Manginelli are currently on full duty while an investigation is conducted by the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division, in conjunction with the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The NYPD has released multiple video sources, including closed-circuit footage from inside the precinct, body-worn camera footage from Officer Pagan, and surveillance video from the area surrounding the stationhouse. The body-worn footage from Officer Joseph did not include audio due to a technical limitation involving a pre-record buffer.
The violent encounter has drawn attention to police safety concerns and the procedures in place for handling potentially dangerous situations. The ongoing investigation aims to provide clarity on the events leading to the officer-involved shooting and the protocols that guide such critical law enforcement responses.
This incident underscores the tensions that can arise in police-community interactions, emphasizing the need for robust training and resources to ensure the safety of both officers and civilians in high-stress situations.
As details continue to unfold, the community is left grappling with the implications of the incident and what it means for public safety moving forward.
