In the Bronx, on January 20, 2022, a 27-year-old male named Yoskar Feliz died after being shot by police officers. The events leading to his death began when police responded to a 911 call reporting a break-in at an apartment on Bronx Boulevard.
Upon arrival, officers found Yoskar Feliz inside his ex-girlfriend's apartment, armed with a gun. According to police reports, Feliz refused to drop his weapon when instructed to do so. An attempt to subdue him with a taser was unsuccessful.
Feliz then allegedly fired his gun twice before escaping through a window.
A foot chase ensued as additional officers pursued Feliz through Shoelace Park, which is located across the street from the apartment building. Officers reported that they repeatedly commanded Feliz to drop his weapon during the pursuit. The situation escalated when Feliz allegedly pointed his gun at one of the officers. In response, three officers fired their weapons, striking Feliz.
Feliz was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
The New York Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation conducted a thorough review of the incident. Their investigation included an analysis of security camera footage, body-worn camera video, police radio transmissions, and ballistics evidence. The OSI concluded that a prosecutor would be unable to disprove that the officers' actions were justified under New York law, which permits the use of deadly physical force in defense against an imminent threat of deadly physical force. Consequently, no criminal charges were filed against the officers involved in the shooting.
The family of Yoskar Feliz has contested the official account of the incident, labeling the shooting as 'unjustified.' They have stated their intention to pursue legal action to clear his name and hold the officers accountable for his death. The family maintains that Feliz was not aiming his weapon at the officers when he was shot.
