New York City police fatally shot a 54-year-old man Sunday afternoon after authorities said he advanced toward officers while holding a large butcher knife inside a Lower East Side apartment building. Officers had responded to multiple 911 calls reporting an assault in progress at 126 Ludlow Street shortly after 4 p.m. The man, identified by police as Wei Chan, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities said the shooting will undergo an internal investigation and that body-worn camera footage will be released.
Police also found Wei Chan‘s 75-year-old father, Cheung Chan, with a head laceration. Investigators said the younger man had injured his father before officers arrived. The father was hospitalized and is expected to survive, while the responding officers were taken to a hospital for evaluation.
| 1) | Police response to an assault call |
| 2) | Encounter on the apartment staircase |
| 3) | Injuries and medical response |
| 4) | Mental health history and investigation |
| 5) | Mayor confirms review and video release |
Police response to an assault call
NYPD officers went to 126 Ludlow Street in Manhattan’s Lower East Side shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, after receiving multiple 911 calls about an assault in progress. The officers entered the apartment building to determine what had happened and to locate anyone who might be injured or in danger.
According to Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, officers saw a trail of blood leading up a staircase. The evidence prompted them to continue into the building, where they encountered the situation that led to the police shooting.
Encounter on the apartment staircase
As officers moved upstairs, police said they encountered Wei Chan, 54, coming down the staircase while holding what authorities described as a large butcher knife. Officers repeatedly ordered him to show his hands and drop the weapon.
“As officers issued repeated commands, the male continued to advance towards the officers armed with the large butcher knife,” Assistant Chief Melissa Eger said.
Police said officers opened fire after the commands were issued and Wei Chan continued advancing toward them with the knife. The circumstances of the encounter remain under investigation, including the sequence of events captured by officers’ body-worn cameras.
Injuries and medical response
The gunfire struck Wei Chan, who was transported to a local hospital. He was later pronounced dead. Police have not provided additional details in the available account about the number of shots fired or the specific injuries sustained.
Inside the building, officers also found Cheung Chan, 75, with a laceration to his head. Investigators said he had been injured by his son before police arrived. He was taken to a hospital and was expected to survive. The officers involved in the encounter were also transported for medical evaluation.
Mental health history and investigation
Police said Wei Chan had no known criminal history with the department but did have a documented mental health history. Authorities did not provide further information about that history or explain whether it was connected to the reported assault.
The shooting remains under investigation. Investigators are expected to examine witness accounts, physical evidence, the reported assault involving Cheung Chan, and recordings from the responding officers’ body cameras. No additional conclusions about the officers’ conduct had been announced.
Mayor confirms review and video release
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Sunday that he had been briefed on the incident. He confirmed that the police shooting would receive an internal review, consistent with NYPD procedures when officers discharge their weapons.
“As with every incident in which NYPD officers discharge their weapons, there will be an internal investigation, and body-worn camera footage of the incident will be released,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote.
The planned release of the footage is intended to provide additional information about the commands, the man’s movements and the officers’ response. The timing of the release was not specified.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Officers responded to an assault report at 126 Ludlow Street. |
| 2 | Police said Wei Chan advanced toward officers with a large butcher knife. |
| 3 | Wei Chan died at a hospital after being shot. |
| 4 | His father, Cheung Chan, was injured and is expected to survive. |
| 5 | An internal investigation and body-camera review are planned. |
Summary
The fatal shooting followed a reported assault and a confrontation inside a Lower East Side apartment building. Police said officers repeatedly ordered Wei Chan to drop a butcher knife before he continued advancing. His father’s injury, the officers’ medical evaluations and the police response will form part of the continuing investigation. Body-worn camera footage is expected to provide further information about the encounter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the shooting occur?
The shooting occurred inside an apartment building at 126 Ludlow Street in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
Why did officers respond to the building?
Officers responded shortly after 4 p.m. following multiple 911 calls reporting an assault in progress.
What investigation will follow?
The NYPD will conduct an internal investigation, and body-worn camera footage from the incident will be released, according to Mayor Zohran Mamdani.