The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) led by New York Attorney General Letitia James has concluded its probe into the death of Caesar Robinson, who was fatally shot by NYPD officers on April 13, 2023. The OSI report released on February 5, 2025, stated that the incident occurred following a 911 call about a suspected burglary in Brooklyn. Upon arrival, officers encountered Robinson at the door of his apartment at 330 Lewis Avenue, brandishing a firearm. The report, accessible via the Attorney General's website, points out that officers discharged their weapons after Robinson, allegedly failing to adhere to orders to drop the gun, pointed it at them.
A thorough analysis of the evidence, which included body camera and security footage, as well as officer testimonies, led the OSI to determine that charges would not be laid against the officers involved. The justification for this decision hinged on the premise that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers' use of deadly force wasn't necessary to protect themselves from perceived imminent danger. This interpretation of the events was deemed to align with New York’s justification law which allows an officer to use deadly force to pre-emptively counteract a lethal threat.
Caesar Robinson was declared deceased subsequent to being transported to a hospital following the shooting. "When Mr. Robinson opened the door to his apartment, he was holding a gun in his hand, raised it towards the officers, and did not comply when directed to drop it," the report summarized, elucidating the events leading up to the fatal confrontation.
The OSI has underscored its commitment to conducting impartial and comprehensive investigations into encounters where law enforcement actions result in a civilian's death. Even though the findings from the Robinson case may not provide solace to those grieving his loss, the office maintained that the decision to not prosecute was grounded in the confines of current statute. Citing from the Attorney General's report, the OSI reiterated, "Under these circumstances, given the law and the evidence, a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers' use of deadly physical force against Mr. Robinson was justified." With this statement, OSI closed the case, leaving untouched the broader discussion of police use of force and the legal frameworks that govern such tragic outcomes.
