New York Attorney General Letitia James has made public the police body-worn camera footage connected to the investigation into the death of Jesus Alberto Nunez Reyes. Mr. Nunez Reyes died on April 20, 2024, after an encounter with New York City Police Department officers in Queens.
In the early hours of April 20, NYPD officers on foot patrol noticed a disturbance at 39-21 103rd Street in Queens. Upon approaching, they found Mr. Nunez Reyes holding a knife. Despite repeated commands from officers to drop the knife, Mr. Nunez Reyes did not comply, leading an officer to fire at him. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital, and a knife was recovered at the scene.
The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) within the Attorney General’s Office has released footage captured by NYPD troopers' body cameras during this incident. This action follows Attorney General James’ directive aimed at increasing transparency and strengthening public trust by making such footage available to the public.
Under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI reviews incidents where a police or peace officer might have caused someone's death through action or omission. This review applies whether the officer is on-duty or off-duty and regardless of whether the deceased was armed or unarmed, in custody or incarcerated. If OSI finds potential involvement of an officer in causing death, it proceeds with a full investigation.
The release of this footage does not imply any judgment regarding guilt or innocence in any criminal matter nor does it suggest how or if any individual will be charged with a crime.
"Warning: This video contains content that viewers may find disturbing."