New York Lawyer Basic Letitia James launched bodycam video on Wednesday as a part of her ongoing investigation into the loss of life of Brian Czornyj, a Poughkeepsie man who was shot by police whereas wielding a samurai sword in June.
Czornyj, 36, was shot on June 5 by a City of Poughkeepsie Police Division officer who responded to a 911 name about an assault with a sword at a house on Honest Oaks Drive.
Bodycam video from officer Jon Gouger exhibits him arriving on the scene together with his gun raised. Inside the house, he encounters two males standing aspect by aspect and grappling over the sword, which is pointing down and away from each males.
“The younger man, Mr. Czornyj, appeared to be uninjured and held the sword by its handle,” the legal professional common’s workplace mentioned in a press release. “The older man, who appeared to be injured, held the sword by the blade.”
Police repeatedly ordered the boys to drop the sword, however neither did.
“Put the sword down,” Gouger will be heard saying a number of instances earlier than warning that he’s “going to shoot” whereas reaching for the sword. About seven seconds later, he shoots Czornyj twice at shut vary.
Blood splatters as Czornyj falls to the ground and the older man strikes apart whereas holding the blade.
A second video exhibits officer Tiere Spruill following Gouger into the home. The footage seems to indicate Gouger about 5 ft from Czornyj earlier than capturing him.
Czornyj was transported to a neighborhood hospital, the place he was later pronounced lifeless. The older man, who has not been named, was handled for accidents and launched later that evening.
Czornyj lived together with his mother and father on the residence, although it’s unclear if they’d been harmed.
In line with a web based obituary written by his household, Czornyj had labored for the FDA, which impressed him to develop into a physician. Nonetheless, as he was within the course of of selecting which medical faculty to attend, he “developed a mental health condition which changed his life forever.”
The AG’s investigation into the capturing stays ongoing, in coordination with New York State Police.
Initially Revealed: August 13, 2025 at 4:58 PM EDT
