Cops Shoot Allegedly Armed Man During Questioning

Yesterday afternoon, the police fatally shot a man they say was brandishing a knife at them. Detectives from the Upper East Side had gone to Darryl Battle's home at 650 Decatur Street to ask him about a bad check that was cashed for $1,000 at a UES bank (Battle left his ID; they first went to Battle's house on Thursday, but since he wasn't there, they left a card).

The Daily News spoke to a police source who said Battle was "very calm and cooperative," but became "intense" when the detectives made it clear they would keep pursuing the case. He allegedly excused himself to get a glass of water, but came back with an 11-inch kitchen knife. The NY Times reports that Battle originally agreed to go to the precinct with them, "but then he pulled a knife out of his waistband."

One detective was able to back out of the apartment, while the other was blocked, reportedly trying to get Battle to drop the knife. The detective fired once, when Battle was within 6 feet of him, and hit Battle in the torso. Battle died at Kings County Hospital. The police source told the News, "The detective was backed in the corner and unable to get to the apartment's only exit. When [Battle] got that close, he felt he had to fire."

However, Battle's relatives disagree with the NYPD's account. His niece said, "He was not running from them," and "He's not that kind of person.... He's a law-abiding citizen." The NYPD did release Battle's criminal history, which includes turnstile jumping, larceny, and criminal mischief. The Times suggests the detectives thought he might have been part of a larger check fraud scheme.

City Councilman Charles Barron has asked for a thorough police investigation, noting Battle let the police in, and the Reverend Al Sharpton has spoken to the Battles and will monitor the situation.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on August 3, 2008 10:08 AM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

"Battle died at Kings County Hospital". He must have arrived with superficial wounds.

Guest

Where's BINGO?

buzz buzzard

#9 longacre: if that's your conclusion it's yours. Don't lay it on me.

I just think that there's a part of this story that we're not hearing.

If I'd wanted to try to argue that some cops are sadistic fuckheads who lash out when the mood strikes I'd have referenced the critical mass video. But I didn't do that, now did I?

UnrepentantFenian

Even the NYPD were issued tazers they would not be carried by detectives. In this situation even if the officer had a tazer he would not have used it. You do not stop perp with a deadly weapon using a non-deadly weapon.

virgil

If he'd come out of that kitchen with a bike, he might be alive today. Bruised, but alive.

Pull My Finger

Don't bring a knife to a gun fight.

JacqueMehoff

damn, now we gotta have hidden cameras INSIDE our houses as well as OUTSIDE.

the best witnesses are dead witnesses. that's the code of the cops and criminals.

longacre

#7: You're right, clearly the cops walked in there guns blazin' just because they were in the mood to kill somebody.

Rfive

You people are the dumb fucknuts here.

i'm sure the police have their side, as does the family, unfortunately as the only other witnesses. the family loses because their kid ain't coming back. the police kill up again and now how to deal with armchair quarterbacks making stupid suggestions like "use a taser".

buzz buzzard

Hmm. I know that people are capable of making decisions which make no sense and put their lives in jeopardy, but doesn't it seem a bit odd that the man would pull an 11" knife on two police officers armed with guns? Especially if he had been "calm and cooperative" prior to that?

As Bozack (#3) points out "if you lunge at a cop with a kitchen knife while he's backed into a corner, you get shot. Pretty elementary stuff."

Something about this story just doesn't quite add up for me.

Steven

His niece said, "He was not running from them," and "He's not that kind of person.... He's a law-abiding citizen." The NYPD did release Battle's criminal history, which includes turnstile jumping, larceny, and criminal mischief. The Times suggests the detectives thought he might have been part of a larger check fraud scheme.

If he is a law abiding citizen why does he have a criminal history along with check fraud? When will people realize to stop blaming others and stand up for your own actions?

Snoopy

Drop the knife Bozack! Or you're going to spring a leak.

Kojak

Yeah I guess there was not much of a choice in this situation, but its worth making more of an effort to preserve life.

Bozack

"The detective fired once, when Battle was within 6 feet of him, and hit Battle in the torso. Battle died at Kings County Hospital. The police source told the News, "The detective was backed in the corner and unable to get to the apartment's only exit. When [Battle] got that close, he felt he had to fire."

It's a shame a man is dead, however, if you lunge at a cop with a kitchen knife while he's backed into a corner, you get shot. Pretty elementary stuff.

P.S.

I'm gonna go get some water... be right back.

Dirk

True, a non-lethal take-down would have been preferred. I'm no apologist for the NYPD, but c'mon... if you attack a cop with an 11-inch knife, what do you expect the cop to do?

Kojak

They should've tazed him bro. It would be nice for the NYPD to use more non-lethal means to subdue individuals for a change.

"Reverend Al Sharpton has spoken to the Battles and will monitor the situation."

Thank God. That takes a load off MY mind