AG James Releases Footage From Investigation Into Death of Michael Rosado

Photos: Twitter

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released security camera footage that the office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Michael Rosado, who died on August 29, 2021, following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released two videos from a private business where the incident occurred. The release of these videos follows Attorney General James’ directive that some camera footage obtained by her office in the course of an OSI investigation be released to the public in order to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident. The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime.

Editor's Note: The NYPD officers involved in this killing were not only off-duty---but, more importantly, reportedly in plain clothes. Of course, this makes it highly likely that Rosado, and others, did not know they were being fired on by NYPD. Moreover, witnesses have said the NYPD officers never announced themselves as police.