Crime & Safety
No Investigation By AG Of New Rochelle Police Killing
A spokesperson for the state attorney general said it does not fall under her jurisdiction.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY — There will be no investigation by the state attorney general into the death of Kamal Flowers. The New Rochelle resident was shot and killed Friday by a New Rochelle police officer after a traffic stop during which, police said, Flowers tried to flee and fire a gun at an officer.
A spokesperson said investigating the death of Flowers falls outside of the jurisdiction of Attorney General Letitia James, the Journal News reported.
A 2015 executive order signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo appoints the state AG as a special prosecutor into the deaths of unarmed civilians caused by law enforcement officers.
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The order also allows a special prosecutor to review cases where there is a question about whether the civilian was armed and dangerous when killed by officers.
Cuomo's order does not include cases where the civilian who was killed by police was armed.
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Police said officers initiated a traffic stop Friday for a vehicle they had been on the lookout for after the driver made several traffic violations in the area of Potter Avenue and Pierce Street. Immediately after being stopped, Flowers, 24, who was in the passenger seat, ran off, according to authorities.
After a pursuit and the failed used of a stun gun, New Rochelle police said Flowers drew a handgun and pointed it at one of the officers. He attempted to the fire the gun and one of the officers shot him, according to authorities.
The driver of the Dodge took off, police said. The vehicle was a black Dodge sedan and has a Virginia license plate numbered UPF1991, police said.
Flowers was pronounced dead while being taken to a hospital.
Police said they recovered a Ruger 9mm handgun, magazine and rounds.
New Rochelle police released an audio recording of the incident in which an officer can be heard saying, "He's got a gun. He's got a gun." Shortly afterward, someone said they had the gun.
Mayor Noam Bramson said there was video from a surveillance camera in the area and it would be released, but nothing has been released to date.
City officials said the police were in an unmarked vehicle which was not outfitted with a dash cam. New Rochelle police officers do not wear body cams.
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