Brooklyn Shooting Death: NYPD Politics

The tragic shooting death of unarmed teenager, Timothy Stansbury Jr., by Officer Richard S. Neri Jr. while patroling an apartment rooftop at 4AM, is causing strife through various police ranks. Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Kelly immediately moved to make statements about the shooting; Mayor Bloomberg visited Stansbury's family and called the shooting a tragedy, Commissioner Kelly said the shooting seemed unjustified. Now the head of the police union says Commissioner Kelly was "absolutely wrong" to make a judgement before an investigation has been made, feeling politics behind it all (right now, the Brooklyn DA is investigating the shooting, and depending on the findings, a grand jury could indict Officer Neri of criminally negligent homicide or second degree manslaughter). That may be, but considering one of the worst moments in recent NYPD vs. the community history, the shooting of Amadou Diallo is still in people's memories, it's hard to fault the Mayor and Police Commissioner for trying to react swiftly.

The NY Times on patrolling rooftops of housing projects.

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By Jen Chung in News on January 28, 2004 3:12 PM

Comments [rss]

Jay Smooth

Jzak, Kelly was not jumping to any more of a conclusion than you do yourself, when you tell us "It was a tragic accident.."

jzak

Im sorry , but Mr. Kelly made that statement before the DA office even launched their investigation . Thats my point . Maybe the NYPD concluded theirs , and kelly's quote is based on that . But the DA's office is handling the case , not the NYPD . They have yet to indict the cop , and he is still working for the NYPD . Kelly made that statement to avoid a riot . Its as easy as that . It was a tragic accident , and my thoughts go out to all involved .

Mase

let me retract my last comment as I (incorrectly) had thought Timothy Stansbury was 16, not 19. My apologies.

Mase

Without question it is a tragedy. However, what always gets me is what a teenager was doing out at 4 a.m. (especially on a rooftop). Obviously, it does not excuse the shooting in the slightest, but the parents shouldn't be off the hook either.

jzak

Jack , You have no idea what you are talking about . In this country , you are innocent until proven guilty . Do you know all the facts of that day , were you at the scene that day ? Then you , bloomy and mr. kelly should keep an open mind until the DA investigates . It was wrong of him to make that statement so early on , w/out getting a proper investigation .