Attorney General Letitia James has made public the body camera and dashboard camera footage connected to the December 5, 2024, death of Christopher Ferguson, an individual who perished following a NYPD confrontation. According to the press release, Ferguson was reportedly exiting a vehicle at Utica Avenue and Park Place in Brooklyn when a gun was allegedly pointed at police officers, who responded by firing their weapons.
Released footage reveals the crucial moments leading to Ferguson's fatal shooting. The videos, originating from both body-worn and dashboard cameras, were obtained by the Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General's Office. After a pursuit, the NYPD encountered Mr. Ferguson as he attempted to exit the car when the confrontation escalated. A firearm with an extended magazine was later recovered at the scene.
These releases align with Attorney General James' mandate for greater transparency and forming stronger public trust in such investigations. Under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, the OSI must evaluate every incident where an officer, regardless of duty status, may have contributed to a person's death by any action or inaction. In cases where the officer's conduct might have caused the death, the OSI proceeds with a complete investigation.
The attorney general's office has clarified that this footage release doesn't imply any judgment about the involved parties' criminal guilt or innocence nor does it suggest potential charges. Still, the released videos "contain content that viewers may find disturbing" as the Attorney General's Office cautions.
