Sword-Wielding Man Fatally Shot by Poughkeepsie PD

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – A 25-year-old man, Brian Czornyj, is dead after being shot by officers with the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department (TPPD) on June 5, 2025. The incident, stemming from a reported assault with a sword, is now under investigation by the New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI).

According to preliminary reports, TPPD responded to a 911 call at a residence in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, regarding an assault involving a bladed weapon. Upon arrival, officers encountered Czornyj and another, older man, both holding a single Samurai sword. Czornyj appeared uninjured, gripping the sword by its handle, while the older man sustained visible injuries and held the blade itself.

Investigators state that officers repeatedly ordered both men to drop the weapon, directing the commands specifically toward Czornyj. When the men failed to comply, one of the responding officers discharged their firearm, striking Czornyj. Emergency Medical Services transported Czornyj to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The older man received treatment for his injuries and was released later that evening.

The scene yielded a recovered Samurai sword, now evidence in the ongoing investigation. The Attorney General’s OSI, mandated by New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, is tasked with evaluating every incident where a law enforcement officer may have caused a person’s death, regardless of on- or off-duty status, or the victim’s custody status. This investigation will determine if the officer’s actions were justified under the law.

“We will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the death of Brian Czornyj,” a spokesperson for the Attorney General’s office stated. “The OSI’s mandate is to ensure accountability and transparency in these critical incidents. We will gather all available evidence, including body-worn camera footage, witness statements, and forensic analysis, to determine the facts surrounding this tragic event.”

Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as they become available. This is the latest in a string of police-involved shootings under scrutiny across the state, raising ongoing questions about use of force and police training. The investigation is ongoing and all information remains preliminary and subject to change.