The New York Attorney General’s Office has released body-worn camera footage related to the death of Emilson Joan Ordoñez-Banegas, who died on July 13, 2025, after an encounter with Suffolk County Police Department officers in Centereach.
The release was made by the Office of Special Investigation (OSI) as part of its ongoing investigation into the incident. The footage comes from cameras worn by officers during their response and is being made public in line with Attorney General Letitia James’ policy to increase transparency and build public trust in such cases.
According to information provided by the Attorney General’s office, police responded to a 911 call at around 8:30 a.m. reporting an assault involving a knife behind retail stores in Centereach. Upon arrival, officers found one individual with injuries to his hand and neck. Emergency medical technicians began treating the injured person when Mr. Ordoñez-Banegas reportedly approached holding what appeared to be a knife. An officer fired his weapon, striking Mr. Ordoñez-Banegas, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. A knife was recovered at the scene.
Under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI reviews every case where law enforcement may have caused a person’s death through action or omission. This includes incidents involving both on-duty and off-duty officers, regardless of whether the decedent was armed or unarmed or in custody.
Attorney General James stated that releasing this footage does not reflect any opinion about guilt or innocence regarding any party involved nor indicate whether charges will be filed: “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.”
A warning accompanied the video due to potentially disturbing content.
