Bangladeshi youth shot dead by New York police

Bangladeshi youth shot dead by New York police

On March 27, 2024, Win Rozario, a 19-year-old resident of Queens, New York, was fatally shot by police officers inside his family's second-floor apartment on 103rd Street in Ozone Park. The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m. The police were responding to a 911 call reporting a person in mental distress, believed to have been made by Rozario himself.

According to the police account, officers encountered a chaotic and dangerous situation upon arrival. They attempted to take Rozario into custody, but he allegedly armed himself with a pair of scissors from a drawer and threatened the officers. Despite attempts to subdue him with Tasers, Rozario persisted in his threatening behavior. The officers claimed they had no choice but to defend themselves, resulting in them firing their firearms, fatally shooting Rozario.

Contradicting Accounts

However, Rozario's family, particularly his 17-year-old brother, Ushto Rozario, contradicted the police's version of events. Ushto Rozario stated that his mother was holding Win in her arms during the encounter. He claimed that the officers shot Win with Tasers while his mother was still hugging him, and subsequently, one of the officers fatally shot Win despite his restrained state. Ushto Rozario asserted that the use of lethal force was unnecessary, as his brother was not posing a significant threat, especially with a pair of scissors, against two armed police officers.

Background of Win Rozario

Win Rozario, originally from Bangladesh, had immigrated to New York with his family a decade ago. He had aspirations of joining the U.S. military, but his plans were delayed due to immigration-related issues. Win had reportedly been struggling with depression, and he had previously been hospitalized for mental health issues.

Community Response

The fatal shooting of Win Rozario adds to a series of recent police-involved shootings in New York City, prompting calls for increased investment in comprehensive mental health services. Community members and officials, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, emphasized the urgency of addressing mental health crises without resorting to violence.

The circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of Win Rozario are subject to ongoing investigation. Conflicting narratives between the police and the Rozario family highlight the need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement actions, particularly in cases involving individuals experiencing mental health crises.

Authorities are urged to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident to determine the appropriate course of action and ensure justice for Win Rozario and his family.