Emotions ran high in Queens on Friday evening as the Bangladeshi community demanded answers for the death of Win Rozario, who police officers shot dead during an apparent mental health crisis at his home on Wednesday.
Participants at the Good Friday rally on March 29 at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights demanded that the NYPD release the bodycam footage officers wore while responding to the incident, and that the department publicly name the officers who pulled the trigger on Rozario at his Ozone Park home.
Attendees flooded Diversity Plaza with photographs of 19-year-old Win Rozario, the teenager who called 911 for help while suffering a mental health crisis on Wednesday. Police reported that officers arrived at his Ozone Park and tried to take him into custody, but, they say, he charged them with scissors, resulting in them shooting him to death.
Police initially Tased Rozario to subdue him, but he revived and allegedly charged the officers with scissors again, according NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell — leading cops at the scene to deploy their firearms.
“The mother, being a mother, came to aid her son. By doing so, she accidentally knocked the tasers out of his body,” Chief of Patrol John Chell said Wednesday. “At this point, the male picked up the scissors again, came at our officers. They had no choice but to defend themselves, discharging their firearms.”
Rozario’s death has outraged many, including those in the Bangladeshi community. Rallying with furious anger, the large called for “justice!” with images of the recently deceased Rosario in hand.
“We need justice. We need the name of that police officer who killed Win, we need the footage to be released ASAP. Release the footage!” one man said who refused to provide his name.
Demonstrators brought flowers and laid them next to a banner painted with the likeness of Rosario, all the while those who knew the young man shared their memories of him.
Rev. James Roy said he had known Rosario for years, describing him as innocent.
“I know this boy. He was innocent, very quiet, very humble,” Rev. Roy said. “He called the police, and he was shot.”
Other members of the Bangladeshi community said they had come to America for a better life, not to be targeted. However, they all joined in demanding the NYPD release both the body camera footage of the incident and the names of the cops involved.
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