Dmitry Zass: NYPD Shooting Footage Released

NEW YORK – A hail of bullets ended the life of Dmitry Zass on a Manhattan street corner January 8th, and today New York Attorney General Letitia James threw open the curtain on the chaotic moments leading up to his death. The AG’s office released security camera and body-worn camera footage from the New York City Police Department officers involved in the shooting, a move prompted by a state investigation into the incident.

According to the official account, the sequence began at 10:52 p.m. when a concerned citizen flagged down NYPD officers, pointing them towards a vehicle stalled in traffic. That vehicle was driven by Dmitry Zass. As officers approached, the situation escalated with terrifying speed. Zass allegedly exited his car brandishing what appeared to be a firearm, immediately aiming it at the responding officers. Within seconds, officers opened fire, striking Zass.

Emergency Medical Services rushed Zass to a local hospital, but the wounds proved fatal. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. A subsequent search of the scene revealed the “firearm” to be a pellet pistol – a detail that undoubtedly will fuel further scrutiny of the officers’ actions. The Attorney General’s office is quick to point out, however, that the release of the footage is not a judgment on guilt or innocence.

“Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, the Office of Special Investigation (OSI) assesses every incident reported where a police officer or a peace officer may have caused the death of a person,” a statement from the AG’s office reads. “This assessment is broad, encompassing on-duty and off-duty officers, armed or unarmed subjects, and those in or out of custody. If the assessment indicates potential officer involvement in a death, OSI proceeds with a full investigation.”

The released footage is raw and unsettling. Viewers are warned to approach it with caution. While the AG insists this is simply part of a fact-finding process, the release comes at a time of heightened public sensitivity to police use of force. The question isn’t just what Dmitry Zass did, but whether the officers’ response was justified, given the nature of the weapon he possessed. The investigation remains ongoing, and the Grimy Times will continue to follow every development.

The Attorney General’s office reiterated that the release of the footage is not an expression of opinion regarding criminal liability. Whether charges will be filed against the involved officers remains to be seen. This case will undoubtedly be dissected by legal experts and activists alike, adding another layer to the ongoing national conversation about policing and accountability. The full video footage is available on the New York Attorney General’s website.