Queens Shooting: NYPD Cleared in Geoffrey Parris Death

NEW YORK – Geoffrey Parris is dead, gunned down by NYPD officers in a Queens apartment on February 12, 2024. Now, after a year-long investigation, New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has released a report clearing the officer who pulled the trigger, finding prosecutors would be unable to prove the shooting wasn’t justified. The report, released today, May 16, 2025, details a chaotic scene fueled by a 911 call and a brother’s frantic claim.

The initial call sent officers to an apartment in Queens responding to reports of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers were met by Mr. Parris’ brother, who initially seemed to downplay the situation. However, the narrative quickly shifted. According to OSI’s report, the brother then claimed his brother, Geoffrey Parris, had leveled a black gun at his face. This claim immediately escalated the danger, framing the situation as a potential active threat.

Officers initially attempted to de-escalate, informing the brother they would treat the incident as domestic. But the brother’s revelation about the weapon prompted a second approach to Mr. Parris, who was found in the doorway of his bedroom. After a brief conversation, officers again indicated they were leaving. It was then, according to the report, that Mr. Parris picked up what appeared to be a black gun, failing to comply with repeated demands to drop it.

That’s when the officer fired. The single shot struck Mr. Parris, who was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The recovered weapon, however, turned out to be a BB gun, a detail that raises questions about the perceived threat but didn’t change OSI’s legal conclusion. The report meticulously details how, under New York’s justification law, an officer is permitted to use deadly force if they “reasonably believe” it’s necessary to defend against deadly physical force.

OSI’s report states that given the 911 call, the brother’s claim of being threatened with a gun, and Mr. Parris’ subsequent action of picking up what appeared to be a firearm, a prosecutor wouldn’t be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer’s actions were justified. The investigation included a thorough review of body-worn camera footage, the 911 call audio, interviews with involved officers, and a comprehensive legal analysis. Despite the BB gun’s true nature, the perceived threat at the time of the shooting was deemed sufficient to meet the legal standard.

The decision not to pursue criminal charges will undoubtedly spark debate. While OSI maintains its objectivity, the case underscores the razor’s edge officers walk when responding to potential firearm threats, and the high legal bar for prosecuting such incidents. The full OSI report is available to the public, offering a detailed account of the events leading up to Geoffrey Parris’ death and the rationale behind the decision not to indict the officer involved. The family of Geoffrey Parris has not yet released a statement regarding the findings.