By Staff Writer

Astoria, Queens – April 14, 2025: A fatal police-involved shooting early Monday morning in Astoria has sparked an outcry from local leaders, who say the incident underscores deep flaws in New York City’s approach to mental health and emergency response.
The shooting occurred at the intersection of 31st Street and 30th Avenue, where police encountered a 61-year-old man allegedly holding a knife. According to initial accounts, the entire interaction lasted just 56 seconds before officers fired their weapons. The man—reportedly known in the neighborhood and said to have a history of mental illness—was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a joint statement, NYC Council Member Tiffany Cabán, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani and Jessica González-Rojas described the incident as a “tragedy,” stating: “Our neighbor with a reported history of mental illness was shot to death by the police because the NYPD used lethal force after being unable to de-escalate a 56-second interaction… Our community is reeling and our hearts are broken. This is not true public safety.”

The incident is under investigation by the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division. The CCRB has also been notified.
This marks yet another flashpoint in the city’s ongoing debate over how to respond to mental health emergencies, with lawmakers and community leaders renewing calls to expand non-police crisis intervention programs like B-HEARD.
Community members say they want answers—and action.