NYPD Shoots, Kills Dmitry Zass After Gun Threat

NEW YORK – A late-night traffic stop in Manhattan turned deadly January 8th when NYPD officers shot and killed Dmitry Zass after he allegedly brandished what appeared to be a firearm. New York Attorney General Letitia James released security and body-worn camera footage of the incident today, fueling a new wave of scrutiny over police use of force in the city.

According to the Attorney General’s office, the incident began at 10:52 p.m. when a concerned citizen flagged down NYPD officers, reporting a motor vehicle collision. As officers approached the stopped vehicle, Dmitry Zass exited the car and allegedly pointed an object resembling a gun at the responding officers. Officers immediately discharged their service weapons, striking Zass. He was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators recovered a pellet pistol at the scene. While the weapon wasn’t a traditional firearm, officers reacted to what they perceived as an imminent threat. The Attorney General’s office is conducting a thorough investigation, as mandated by New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, which requires assessment of any incident where a police officer may have caused a death. This includes on-duty and off-duty officers, armed or unarmed subjects, and cases involving both custody and non-custody situations.

“Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer…may have caused the death of a person,” the Attorney General’s statement reads. “If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.” The released footage is part of that ongoing investigation.

The Attorney General’s office was quick to emphasize that the release of the footage should not be interpreted as an indication of guilt or innocence for any party involved. “The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime,” the statement continued. The office issued a warning that the videos contain disturbing content.

The shooting is already sparking debate among police accountability advocates and law enforcement officials. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as the investigation unfolds. The full footage is available for public viewing, though viewers are cautioned about its graphic nature. The incident raises familiar questions about split-second decisions and the use of lethal force by the NYPD in high-pressure situations.