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NYPD: Police fatally shoot man in West Village after he points fake gun at officers
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jan 9, 2026
Modified Jan 12, 2026
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Brittany Kriegstein / Gothamist
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jan 9, 2026
Modified Jan 12, 2026
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Police shot and killed a man during a confrontation in the West Village on Thursday night after NYPD officials said he pointed a gun at officers that turned out to be fake. It was the city's second fatal NYPD shooting Thursday.
The West Village incident unfolded around 10:50 p.m. near Bedford Street and Sixth Avenue after two people told police in the area they’d been in a car crash with a BMW that then drove off, according to Assistant Chief James McCarthy, commanding officer of the Manhattan South patrol borough.
The BMW was stopped in traffic nearby, and the officers approached the car, McCarthy said. At that point, he said, a 37-year-old man inside the vehicle stepped out and pointed what appeared to be a gun at the officers.
McCarthy said the officers fired at the man, but he held onto the fake weapon even as the officers commanded him to drop it so that they could render lifesaving aid.
EMS workers came to the scene and took the man to a local hospital, where McCarthy said he was pronounced dead. Officials did not immediately identify him to the public.
McCarthy said the man said nothing to the officers during the incident. The assistant chief added that the whole encounter was captured on the officers’ body-worn cameras.
A large portion of Bedford Street was still taped off Friday morning as police continued to investigate. The dead man’s smashed BMW was still parked in the middle of the block.
Joseph Hoffman, who lives in a building next to the scene, said he heard the screech of tires followed by the sound of approaching sirens Thursday night. He said he then heard about 20 gunshots as police officers yelled “drop the gun” over and over.
“ I didn't see anyone put in handcuffs or anything,” Hoffman said, noting the street was silent for a bit before a swarm of additional police cars and paramedics showed up.
“It was super scary,” neighbor Saad Cheema said. “I've never heard gunshots in my life. It almost felt like it was inside my apartment.”
He said the shooting had shaken his sense of safety.
The BMW officials say was involved in the West Village police shooting is seen on the street Jan. 9, 2026.
Brittany Kriegstein / Gothamist
Hours earlier on Thursday, NYPD officers fatally shot a man at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Park Slope after they said he barricaded himself in a room with a sharp object and was attempting to harm an elderly patient and one of the hospital’s security staff. Officials said the man, who had cut himself and threatened other staff, advanced toward the officers with his bloodied weapon after they repeatedly ordered him to drop it and used their tasers, which were ineffective. Authorities did not immediately release the man’s identity.
In a social media post, Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote the shootings were “devastating to all New Yorkers.”
“I know many are eager for answers. The NYPD is conducting an internal investigation — I will work with Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch to ensure this is as thorough and swift as possible,” he wrote.
Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether mental health professionals could or should have been called to try to deescalate either situation. He campaigned in part on creating a new city agency that would deploy those professionals to certain 911 calls.
The NYPD’s force investigation division is reviewing both police shootings, officials said.
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said he was “devastated” by the West Village shooting.
“Imitation weapons are deadly serious,” he tweeted Friday. “Manufacturers must be held accountable. That's why I passed [state legislation] S687 in 2022, banning imitation guns like these so officers can better distinguish real threats and save lives. But more must be done.”
This is a developing story based on preliminary information from police and has been updated with additional details.
This story has also been updated to clarify Saad Cheema's reaction to the West Village police shooting.
Tagged
Zohran Mamdani
manhattan
new york city
public safety
west village
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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