Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Police fatally shoot man in Astoria after he approached officers with knife, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Apr 14, 2025
Modified Apr 14, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Brittany Kriegstein / Gothamist
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Apr 14, 2025
Modified Apr 14, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Police shot and killed a 61-year-old man on a Queens street early Monday after he refused commands to drop a knife and moved toward officers with it, according to NYPD officials.
The shooting happened just before 6:30 a.m. near the intersection of 30th Avenue and 31st Street in Astoria, officials said.
NYPD Chief of Department John Chell said at a press conference that three people had called 911 about the man, saying he was acting erratically. Some of the callers said they thought he was going to stab someone, according to Chell.
Police responded to the intersection, which features the entrance to the elevated 30th Avenue subway station on the N and W lines, and confronted the man, Chell said. He said the man was holding a 14-inch knife, appeared to be “in mental distress” and did not obey officers’ orders to release the knife.
The officers deployed multiple tasers when the man advanced toward them, but this did not subdue him, according to Chell. The chief of department said the officers were “forced to defend themselves” and fired multiple shots at the man.
Police attempted lifesaving measures at the scene, but the man died at a local hospital, Chell said, adding that the officers were taken to hospitals for tinnitus treatment.
The NYPD did not immediately release the man’s name as they worked to notify his family. Chell said the man was Asian and had two documented “incidents of mental disorder with the NYPD,” but would not provide further details.
An NYPD cruiser and detectives are on the scene of a police shooting in Astoria on April 14, 2025.
Brittany Kriegstein / Gothamist
Detectives and officers at the scene Monday morning scoured the sidewalk near a Trade Fair supermarket for evidence. A plastic white shopping bag lay on the ground next to a pool of blood.
Oumar Cisse, a supervisor at the supermarket, said his security workers knew the man to be someone who collected bottles in the area.
“I saw the knife, it was right there by the door,” he said. “It was a pretty big knife … like a butcher knife, more than 12 inches.”
The store’s manager, Andre Johnson, said he heard at least six shots in quick succession Monday, and then saw police surround the man. He lamented the prevalence of what he described as mental health crises in the neighborhood.
“They need help,” he said, referring to people in apparent distress. “They come in here, they start screaming and yelling, they fight for the bottle machine.”
A photo of the knife police say a man approached officers with in Astoria on April 14, 2025
Brittany Kriegstein / Gothamist
Monday’s shooting was the third time that NYPD officers have shot and killed someone so far this year, according to Gothamist’s analysis of police data. NYPD officers have shot and injured at least three other people so far in 2025, including a man who allegedly stabbed four girls in Brooklyn last week. Police fatally shot at least 12 people citywide last year, according to the analysis.
The MTA said Q102 buses were being detoured in both directions Monday while police investigated the scene.
This is a developing story based on preliminary information from police and has been updated.
Tagged
new york city
queens
public safety
astoria
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].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY unemployment recipients brace for delays during system upgrade
The shutdown is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Monday and last for nine to 12 days.
By
Jon Campbell
and
Carol Chen
Published Oct 30, 2026 at 12:59 p.m. ET
Influential Brooklyn developer illegally raised rents despite tax break, lawsuit claims
The lawsuit targets the leasing practices of the company Two Trees, which recently received a special carveout in the New York state budget.
By
David Brand
News
Influential Brooklyn developer illegally raised rents despite tax break, lawsuit claims
The lawsuit targets the leasing practices of the company Two Trees, which recently received a special carveout in the New York state budget.
By
David Brand
Democrats' early voting lead in NJ keeps growing ahead of Election Day
By
Mike Hayes
Early Addition: Is Harry running?
By
James Ramsay
NYC Council takes key step toward Mamdani's promised Department of Community Safety
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .