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NYPD officers fatally shoot man armed with butcher’s knife on Lower East Side, police say
By
Amanda Rozon
and
Phil Corso
Published Aug 16, 2026
Modified Aug 16, 2026
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Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images
By
Amanda Rozon
and
Phil Corso
Published Aug 16, 2026
Modified Aug 16, 2026
Share
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NYPD officers fatally shot a 54-year-old man who police say advanced toward them with a butcher’s knife inside a Lower East Side building Sunday afternoon.
Officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting an assault in progress at 126 Ludlow St. at about 4:06 p.m., NYPD Assistant Chief of Patrol Borough Manhattan South Melissa Eger said at a news conference Sunday evening. She said officers entered the building and saw a trail of blood leading up a staircase.
As officers went upstairs, they encountered Wei Chan coming down the stairs with a large butcher’s knife, Eger said. She said officers repeatedly ordered Chan to show his hands and drop the weapon, but he continued advancing toward them. Officers then opened fire and struck him, according to Eger.
“Officers entered the building, saw a trail of blood and responded without hesitation, not knowing what was waiting for them as they went up the stairs,” Eger said.
Emergency medical workers took Chan to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Eger said. Police said the incident was captured on officers’ body-worn cameras and a butcher’s knife was recovered at the scene.
Police identified the other person taken to Bellevue as Wei Chan’s 75-year-old father, Cheung Chan. Eger said the father suffered a laceration to his head that police allege was caused by his son. He is expected to survive, authorities said.
The FDNY said four members of service with minor injuries were also taken to NewYork-Presbyterian. Eger said responding officers were taken to a hospital for evaluation.
The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division is investigating the shooting, officials said.
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public safety
Amanda Rozon
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Phil Corso
Phil Corso is the evening news editor at WNYC/Gothamist. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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