BUFFALO, NY – A Buffalo Police Department officer is in the clear after fatally shooting Daevon Roberts on July 10, 2024, following a chaotic traffic stop, according to a notification of investigative findings released today by New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI). The OSI determined a prosecutor would be unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer’s use of deadly force was *not* justified.
The incident unfolded around midnight on Kensington Avenue. Two BPD officers pulled over a vehicle driven by Roberts for speeding. Things quickly escalated when, during the stop, an officer attempted to verify Roberts’ identification. According to the OSI report, the officer opened the driver’s side door and asked Roberts to step out to assist with the ID check. Roberts refused, and instead slammed the car into drive, dragging the officer along with the vehicle as it accelerated.
The report details a violent struggle. While being dragged, the officer attempted to hit the brake pedal, but Roberts kicked his foot. Even more disturbingly, Roberts allegedly tried to grab the officer’s firearm. It was at this point the officer discharged his service weapon, striking Roberts. The victim was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
The entire encounter was captured on the officer’s body-worn camera, a critical piece of evidence in the OSI’s investigation. The footage, along with a map detailing the incident’s location, has been released to the public. OSI is mandated by New York State Executive Law Section 70-b to investigate every reported incident where a law enforcement officer may have caused a death, regardless of on-duty status or the circumstances surrounding the death.
This isn’t about justifying police shootings, it’s about the facts. While the OSI will release a final Investigation Report at a later date, the current findings are clear: the officer acted within legal bounds given the immediate threat to their life. This case highlights the dangerous realities faced by officers on the street every single day, and the split-second decisions they are forced to make.
The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. The full OSI Notification of Investigative Findings can be found on the New York Attorney General’s website. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of police interactions and the need for thorough investigations to ensure accountability and transparency.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: NY AG
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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