A state report released on March 31, 2026 says prosecutors would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt that officers who shot and killed a knife-wielding man inside a Brownsville apartment in May 2025 acted lawfully, so the officers will not face criminal charges. The case stems from a May 13, 2025 confrontation that ended with 25-year-old Damon Louther dead after investigators say he advanced on officers with a large knife. The decision comes after the Attorney General’s Office released body-worn camera footage last year and formally closes the state review of the shooting.
What the report found
According to a report by News 12 Brooklyn, the Office of Special Investigations concluded that a prosecutor "would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt" at trial that the officers' use of deadly force was justified. The Attorney General’s Office had previously released the officers' body-worn camera footage in June 2025 as part of its inquiry, saying the move was meant to increase transparency. The AG's press release outlines both the footage release and OSI's role in reviewing police-involved deaths.
How the encounter unfolded
Officers responded to a 911 call at 108 Christopher Avenue in Brownsville on May 13 and were led upstairs by the building resident, according to reporting by Gothamist. Inside the apartment, investigators say Louther pulled a large kitchen knife from his waistband and moved toward the officers. He was taken to Brookdale University Hospital and later pronounced dead, amNY reported.
Taser, shots and bodycam evidence
Body-worn camera video reviewed in the investigation shows one officer firing a Taser at Louther, who appears to remove the probes, before a second officer fires two shots that hit him in the chest, according to investigators. News 12 Brooklyn notes that on the footage, Louther reportedly tells officers, "You're gonna have to put a bullet in me," as he advances. While the state has wrapped its criminal review, the NYPD says its own internal investigation is still underway.
What the law requires
Under New York law, OSI uses a legal standard that allows officers to use deadly physical force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend against another person's use of deadly force. The Attorney General’s Office applies that test when deciding whether to bring criminal charges and says that if the evidence leaves a reasonable doubt about whether an officer’s actions were justified, prosecutors should not go forward. The AG's guidance lays out the legal framework OSI uses in these cases.
Reaction and what comes next
Residents told reporters they were stunned when the bodycam footage was released and said the outcome would be closely watched in Brownsville, a neighborhood where policing and accountability are constant topics of conversation. The NYPD's Force Investigation Division is continuing its internal probe, and advocates say family members could still pursue civil options. This story will be updated if officials, advocates or Louther's family issue additional statements.
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