New York Police Fatally Shoot Suicidal Teen Holding Knife

Newly released body camera footage captures the fatal shooting of a suicidal 17-year-old by New York police officers in June. The incident occurred on Wappingers Creek Bridge when authorities responded to a call about a suicidal subject armed with a knife.

The teenager, identified as Oscar Granados Colindres, a Guatemalan-born minor, was reportedly suicidal after being accused of rape and subsequently kicked out of his home, according to sources cited by the Times-Union.

For approximately 50 minutes, officers from multiple agencies engaged with Granados Colindres, attempting to de-escalate the situation. The footage shows officers speaking to him in both English and Spanish, urging him to reconsider his actions and emphasizing that they were there to help.

"Life is ugly. It’s not easy. But look at me, I need you to be strong," one officer is heard saying in Spanish in the video. "This is not going to solve anything. Don’t you think that when the girls grow up, they’re not going to ask, ‘Why did my brother leave?’"

Officers repeatedly pleaded with Granados Colindres to put down the knife he was holding. Eventually, he descended from the ledge and began to run toward the officers. Within seconds, shots were fired. At least 10 shots were discharged as he fell near a vehicle. It remains unclear which officer fired the fatal shot. The footage also indicates that at least one officer attempted to use a Taser.

An investigation into the shooting is ongoing, led by the New York Attorney General’s Office. The family's lawyers have stated that they believe their son would be alive if trained crisis intervention professionals had responded instead of law enforcement.

An obituary described Granados Colindres as a high school student who enjoyed playing soccer, had an interest in classic cars, and harbored dreams of becoming a professional soccer player, joining the U.S. military, and traveling internationally.