Queens Knife Fight: NYPD Cleared in Pedro Felix Death

NEW YORK – A bloody July 4th turned tragic in Queens when Pedro Felix, a man wielding a knife, was fatally shot by New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers responding to a violent assault, according to a report released today by Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI). The OSI investigation, spanning months, determined that no criminal charges would be filed against the officer who fired the fatal shot.

The incident unfolded at an apartment in Queens on the evening of July 4, 2024. Officers arrived on scene to find a chaotic situation: a man, later identified as Pedro Felix, engaged in a brutal struggle with another individual, brandishing a knife. Witnesses informed police that a woman had already fled the apartment, suffering from stab wounds. Officers immediately ordered Felix to drop the weapon, commands he allegedly ignored.

The situation escalated rapidly. An officer discharged his service weapon, striking Pedro Felix. He was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries. A search of the apartment revealed two knives at the scene. The grim discovery didn’t end there. An 8-year-old child was also found within the apartment suffering from stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Two additional individuals were treated for stab wounds and later released.

The OSI report hinges on New York State’s justification law regarding the use of deadly force by law enforcement. The law permits officers to use deadly force when they reasonably believe it’s necessary to defend against the imminent threat of deadly physical force. Investigators concluded that, given the circumstances – a report of an ongoing assault, the sight of Felix actively engaged in a violent struggle with a knife, and his refusal to comply with orders – a prosecutor would be unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer’s actions were *not* justified.

“After a thorough review of body-worn camera footage, witness statements, and the totality of the evidence, OSI has determined that criminal charges will not be pursued in this matter,” the report states. The decision will undoubtedly spark debate, but the OSI maintains that the evidence supports the officer’s actions under the law. The case underscores the fraught realities of policing and the split-second decisions officers are often forced to make in life-or-death situations.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. The identities of the other victims and witnesses have not been released.