NYC Mayor Frees Knife Maniac

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani demands prosecutors drop charges against a knife-wielding schizophrenic who charged at NYPD officers, ignoring bodycam evidence of clear threats to police and family.

Story Snapshot

22-year-old Jabez Chakraborty lunged at family with a kitchen knife during mental health crisis, then advanced on NYPD officers despite over 8 commands to drop it.
Officers shot Chakraborty four times in self-defense; grand jury indicted him February 13 for attempted assault, setting $50,000 bail.
Mamdani, after initial praise for first responders, now calls for release, handcuff removal, and mental health treatment over accountability.
Bodycam footage confirms protocol adherence, highlighting risks officers face in underfunded mental health responses.
This progressive push undermines law enforcement, prioritizing suspects over public safety in a city plagued by crime.

Incident Unfolds in Queens Home

On January 26, 2026, Jabez Chakraborty’s sister called 911 in Briarwood, Queens, requesting involuntary mental health transport. Chakraborty, diagnosed with schizophrenia two years prior, had lunged at family members with a kitchen knife. NYPD officers entered the home. Chakraborty grabbed the knife, changed his grip, pushed through a door, and advanced toward them despite more than eight commands to drop the weapon. One officer fired four shots, striking him in the abdomen, chest, and groin. He required surgeries and ventilator support at Jamaica Hospital.

Grand Jury Holds Suspect Accountable

Despite Chakraborty’s critical condition in ICU, a Queens grand jury indicted him on February 13, 2026, for first-degree attempted assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Bail was set at $50,000. The family requested a protection order, which the judge denied. Queens DA Melinda Katz emphasized the defendant ignored commands and tried to attack officers, justifying the charges based on evidence. This decision upholds public safety amid mental health calls that too often endanger responders.

Bodycam footage, released February 4, shows officers issuing repeated commands and using a barrier before lethal force. NYPD training follows the Tueller Drill standard, permitting deadly force against edged weapons within 21 feet. Officers acted within protocol during this high-risk encounter, protecting themselves and the family who summoned help.

Mayor’s Reversal Sparks Outrage

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, elected in 2025 on a mental health reform platform, initially praised first responders on social media. After meeting the family, he shifted tone, criticizing police protocols. Post-indictment, Mamdani stated Chakraborty should not face prosecution but receive mental health treatment instead. He urged dropping charges and removing handcuffs. This intervention lacks prosecutorial authority, as DA Katz operates independently, yet pressures the system toward leniency.

Chakraborty’s defense attorneys decried the charges as inhumane given his injuries and condition, while the family labeled NYPD actions ICE-like. Such rhetoric erodes support for officers handling NYC’s 25% police-involved mental health calls, where alternatives remain underfunded. Mamdani’s progressive agenda tests against rising crime concerns, favoring compassion over consequences.

Broader Implications for Law and Order

New York City’s reliance on NYPD for mental health crises stems from inadequate non-police options like the limited B-HEARD pilot, diverting only 20% of calls. Mamdani pushes expansion, but this incident underscores dangers when suspects arm and advance. With Chakraborty facing up to 15 years if convicted and no trial date set, the case highlights tensions between reform and accountability. Police unions face backlash, deepening rifts in a city weary of soft-on-crime policies.