Community, Lead Stories

New Rochelle police involved in fatal shooting

On Friday, June 5 at about 10:54 p.m., two uniformed New Rochelle police officers conducted a stop of a 2019 black Dodge Charger whose driver had committed several Vehicle and Traffic Law violations, according to police.  The stop was conducted in the area of Potter Avenue and Pierce Street. Immediately after stopping, a passenger, identified as Kamal Flowers, 24, exited the vehicle and fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, one of the officers fired his TASER, a struggle ensued and Flowers allegedly displayed a handgun and pointed it at one of the officers and attempted to fire. The officer discharged his duty weapon at Flowers, striking him once. Officers rendered medical assistance to the assailant, who was pronounced deceased while being transported by ambulance
to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital.

Police said a Ruger 9mm handgun, magazine and rounds were recovered at the scene; law enforcement is still searching for the vehicle involved in the incident.

The incident remains under investigation by the New Rochelle Police Department, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and the state Attorney General’s Office.  New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson assured that the investigation would be thorough and transparent.

But with the backdrop of this coming against the civil unrest after the alleged murder of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in Minneapolis last week, Bramson forecasted an enormous challenge as the city tries to move forward from this.

“This tragic event, which would be traumatic under any circumstances, comes at a moment of intense local and national focus on issues of police violence
and systemic racism,” Bramson said. “All of us are called to work together, alongside community leaders and advocates, to pursue the broader cause of racial justice and peace in New Rochelle. That work has already begun and now it will be pursued with even greater urgency.” (Submitted)