The family of Queens teen Win Rozario, who was shot to death by police inside his home after he called them for help amid a mental health crisis, continues to demand justice one year later.
March 27 marks exactly one year since Bangladeshi 19-year-old Win Rozario was killed inside his Ozone Park during a mental health crisis. The teen himself dialed 911 for help only to end up being shot dead by responding Officers Salvatore Alongi and Matthew Cianfrocco, both assigned to the 102nd Precinct at the time of the incident.
“Today marks one year since Win, our son and brother, was stolen from us by the NYPD. Win was just a child. Officers Salvatore Alongi and Matthew Cianfrocco shot, tased and killed him in cold blood – in less than two minutes after entering our home. As we mourn and celebrate Win, our hearts are heavy because the past 12 months have been a year of no justice,” a statement penned by his mother Notan Eva Costa, father Francis Rozario, and brother Utsho Rozario read.
Body camera footage from the day showed Utsho Rozario pleading with cops not to shoot, also fearing they may strike his mother as she attempted to protect her son. However, they ultimately unloaded multiple rounds as the troubled teen walked towards them, holding a pair of scissors.
The deadly shooting infuriated the community, leading to a series of protests demanding that the NYPD take action against the cops involved.
A year after his killing, Rozario’s family and their legal team say the officers have not only yet to be prosecuted, but they also remain on the job.
“After Win was murdered, we thought Officers Alongi and Cianfrocco would be fired and arrested quickly. Their recklessness almost killed two of us who were also in the apartment, trying to de-escalate the crisis that Alongi and Cianfrocco created,” the family wrote. “Officers Alongi and Cianfrocco must be fired and prosecuted before another year passes, and Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Tisch need to make immediate changes – including removing police from mental health response – so no other family has to go through what we’ve gone through.”
As the family still grapples with the call for accountability, they say they have received no updates from the police department or Mayor Eric Adams regarding the internal investigation.
Meanwhile, the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) and state Attorney General Letitia James’ office continue to probe the killing.
“Officers Alongi and Cianfrocco acted recklessly from the moment they arrived and questioned Win’s teenage brother using derogatory language. Both cops made no effort to de-escalate the crisis they created. This was a cold-blooded murder and Officers Alongi and Cianfrocco must be prosecuted and fired!” Executive Director of the Justice Committee Loyda Colón said.
Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Hendry pushed back, charging that activists are trying to bogart the tragedy for their own gain.
“These police officers were forced to make split-second decisions based on the risks to everyone on that scene. The investigations in this case should continue to proceed carefully based on the facts and the law, without interference from activists who are shamelessly exploiting this tragedy to advance their anti-police agenda,”Hendry said.
amNewYork reached out to the NYPD for comment, and is awaiting a response.
