NYPD Charges Unarmed Man For Wounding Two People The NYPD Shot

[RT] In the latest turn to a developing case an unarmed man involved in an altercation with New York City police near Times Square, which resulted in the shooting of two bystanders, the district attorney’s office is holding him responsible for their injuries.

According to an indictment unsealed on Wednesday Glenn Broadnax, 35, of Brooklyn, NY, has been charged with assault over the September 14 incident which left many wondering whether the use of force by police in a crowded area was justified.

He began wading into busy lanes of traffic in the bustling Times Square area, drawing a crowd and the attention of police officers who attempted to contain Mr. Broadnax, a 250-pound man described as emotionally disturbed.

Under the assumption that he was armed, two officers opened fire when Broadnax reached into his pants pockets, instead hitting two women bystanders. The bullets struck a 54-year-old woman in the knee and grazed another 35-year-old woman.

Broadnax was then subdued when an officer shot him with a Taser gun.

Video and photos released of the scene depicted a chaotic situation, with a group of officers attempting to corral Broadnax while onlookers yelled at police not to shoot him.

He was taken to Bellevue Hospital Center for evaluation, where, according to a court document, Broadnax told a detective that “he was talking to dead relatives in his head and that he tried throwing himself in front of cars to kill himself.” A psychiatrist later found him competent to stand trial, reports The New York Times.

Though he was initially facing misdemeanor charges of drug possession, resisting arrest and menacing, the district attorney’s office successfully argued in front of a grand jury to charge Broadnax with assault, with a maximum sentence of 25 years.

Read full story