New York Attorney General Letitia James has made public the police body-worn camera footage related to the investigation into Jeremy Bennett's death. Bennett died on September 21, 2024, after an encounter with Nassau County Police Department officers in Massapequa on September 20, 2024.
The incident began with a vehicle pursuit involving officers from the New York City Police Department, Freeport Police Department, and Nassau County Police Department. The chase ended when Bennett's car stopped on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa. During the confrontation that followed, officers discharged their weapons, hitting Bennett. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) within the Attorney General’s Office released footage captured by body-worn cameras during the incident. This action aligns with Attorney General James' directive to release such footage publicly as part of OSI investigations to enhance transparency and public trust.
According to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI evaluates every reported incident where a police or peace officer might have caused a person's death through action or omission. This includes whether the officer was on-duty or off-duty and whether the deceased was armed or unarmed at the time of death. If OSI finds potential cause for concern regarding an officer's involvement in a death, it conducts a comprehensive investigation.
The release of this footage does not imply any judgment regarding guilt or innocence in any criminal case nor does it suggest how charges might be filed against individuals involved.
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