New York Attorney General Letitia James has released body-worn camera footage related to the investigation into the death of Samuel Williams. The footage was obtained as part of an ongoing inquiry following a motor vehicle incident involving New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers on May 28, 2023, in the Bronx. Mr. Williams died from his injuries on May 29, 2023.
The incident occurred when NYPD officers attempted to stop Mr. Williams, who was reportedly riding a dirt bike in the Bronx. A collision ensued between Mr. Williams' bike and an unmarked NYPD vehicle at University Heights Bridge and West Fordham Road. Following the collision, Mr. Williams was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) within the Attorney General’s Office released the footage from officers' body-worn cameras during this incident. This action aligns with Attorney General James’ policy to release such footage publicly to enhance transparency and public trust.
Under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI evaluates incidents where a police or peace officer may have caused a person's death through action or inaction. This assessment applies regardless of whether the officer was on duty or off duty and irrespective of whether the deceased was armed or in custody.
Attorney General James emphasized that releasing this footage does not imply any judgment regarding guilt or innocence nor suggest how any individual might be charged with a crime.
A warning accompanies the video due to potentially disturbing content for viewers.