New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has released its findings regarding the death of Emilson Joan Ordoñez-Banegas, who died on July 13, 2025, after an encounter with Suffolk County Police Department officers in Centereach.
According to the OSI, officers responded to a 911 call shortly after 8:30 a.m. reporting an assault with a knife behind a deli. Upon arrival, they found a man with injuries to his neck and hand. The injured individual told police that another man had stabbed him and fled into nearby woods.
While emergency medical technicians treated the injured man, Mr. Ordoñez-Banegas emerged from the wooded area and attempted to stab the victim again. One officer fired his service weapon at Mr. Ordoñez-Banegas, who was then transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. A knife was recovered at the scene.
The incident was recorded on body-worn cameras used by responding officers.
OSI is responsible for reviewing incidents where police or peace officers may have caused someone’s death through action or omission, as required under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b. If evidence shows an officer may have caused a death, OSI conducts a full investigation.
After completing its review in this case, OSI concluded that “a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officer’s use of deadly physical force was justified under the law.” A final Investigation Report will be released later.
“In cases where the evidence and legal analysis are clear and the investigation is complete, OSI may issue a Notification of Investigative Findings announcing the conclusion of the investigation,” according to OSI officials. The office will issue its final report as required by law at a later date.
