The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has initiated an investigation into the death of Jeremy Bennett. Mr. Bennett died on September 21, 2024, following an encounter with officers from the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) in Massapequa on September 20, 2024.
On that day, officers from the New York City Police Department (NYPD), Freeport Police Department, and NCPD were involved in a vehicle pursuit through Queens and Nassau counties. The chase concluded when Mr. Bennett's car stopped on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa. During the encounter that followed, officers discharged their service weapons, striking Mr. Bennett. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
According to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI evaluates every reported incident where a police officer or peace officer may have caused a person's death by an act or omission. The law stipulates that the officer can be either on-duty or off-duty, and the deceased person can be armed or unarmed, as well as in custody or not incarcerated at the time of the incident. If OSI's initial assessment suggests that an officer may have caused the death, they proceed with a comprehensive investigation.
"These are preliminary facts and subject to change."