New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has released a report regarding the death of Taiquell Woodson, who died on February 17, 2024, after an encounter with Suffolk County Police Department officers in Bay Shore.
According to the OSI, the investigation included a review of body-worn camera footage, security camera footage, interviews with involved officers and witnesses, and legal analysis. The report states: “After a thorough investigation, which included review of footage from body-worn cameras and security cameras, interviews with involved officers and witnesses, and comprehensive legal analysis, OSI concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers’ actions were justified under New York law.”
The incident began around 9:10 a.m. when police responded to a 911 call about a domestic dispute at a residence in Bay Shore. Upon arrival, one officer knocked on the door. Moments later, Taiquell Woodson exited the house holding both a knife and an expandable baton. The OSI reported: “Mr. Woodson came out of the house holding a knife in one hand and an expandable baton in the other. Mr. Woodson slashed the officer with the knife, striking him multiple times. A second officer and the officer who was slashed discharged their service weapons, striking Mr. Woodson.” Woodson was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead; the injured officer was treated and released from another hospital. Police recovered both weapons at the scene.
The justification for police use of deadly force under New York law requires that an officer reasonably believes it is necessary to defend against deadly physical force by another person. The OSI explained: “Under New York’s justification law, a police officer may use deadly physical force when the officer reasonably believes it to be necessary to defend against the use of deadly physical force by another.” The report concludes: “In this case, Mr. Woodson came out of the house armed with a knife and an expandable baton and slashed an officer multiple times. Under these circumstances, given the law and the evidence, a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers’ use of deadly physical force against Mr. Woodson was justified, and therefore OSI determined that criminal charges would not be pursued in this matter.”
