New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has released its Notification of Investigative Findings concerning the death of Bruce Boyd, who died on April 4, 2025, after an encounter with Suffolk County Police Department officers in Brentwood, Suffolk County. The investigation determined that there is insufficient evidence to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers’ use of deadly force was justified under state law.
The incident began around 12:07 p.m. when Suffolk County police responded to a residence for a wellness check. After receiving no response at the door, officers spoke with Mr. Boyd’s wife via phone through a neighbor and waited for her to return home. Upon her arrival, she entered the house but quickly ran back outside. Officers then saw Mr. Boyd emerge from an interior hallway covered in blood and holding knives in both hands.
According to the OSI statement, “Mr. Boyd exited the house with the knife in his left hand raised above his head and ran across the front lawn toward one officer, as officers repeatedly called Mr. Boyd’s name and instructed him to drop the knife. When Mr. Boyd was within a few feet of one officer, holding the knife above his own head, officers discharged their service weapons, striking Mr. Boyd.” Two knives were recovered at the scene.
The incident was recorded on body-worn cameras used by responding officers.
Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI investigates any instance where an officer may have caused a person’s death through action or omission—regardless of whether the officer was on or off duty or if the decedent was armed or unarmed.
In cases where evidence and legal analysis are clear upon completion of an investigation, OSI issues a Notification of Investigative Findings before releasing its final Investigation Report as required by law.
A final report regarding this case will be issued at a later date.
