Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Jabez Chakraborty was indicted by a grand jury and arraigned on charges of attempted assault and weapon possession for advancing on an NYPD officer while holding a large kitchen knife.

District Attorney Katz said: “As alleged, the defendant tried to attack a police officer while holding a large knife, ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon, and then forcibly pushed through a door the officer was using as a shield to protect himself. The officer then discharged his weapon and hit Jabez Chakraborty four times. As prosecutors, we are duty-bound to follow the facts, evidence and circumstances where they lead us, including in cases that have a mental health component. These decisions, however, must be thoughtful, deliberative and based on the expertise of mental health professionals.  Dispositions can take vastly different forms, and I will use the resources of my office to address the unique needs in this case while upholding my responsibility to keep this borough safe.”

Chakraborty, 22, of Briarwood, was arraigned today before Queens Supreme Court Jessica Earle-Gargan on an indictment charging him with attempted assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Justice Earle-Gargan ordered the defendant to return to court March 11. Chakraborty faces up to 15 years in prison, if convicted.

District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on January 26, at approximately 10:25 a.m., a 911 call was placed by one of the defendant’s relatives reporting that the defendant was throwing glass inside the family home.

When two NYPD officers arrived at the home, they were let inside by a family member. The officers saw Chakraborty in the kitchen and the defendant then grabbed a large knife and started walking toward them.

The defendant allegedly advanced toward the officer and changed his grip on the knife to flip the blade upside down while winding his right arm back.

The officer backed up and closed a door separating the home’s foyer from the living room. The defendant allegedly opened the foyer door and continued toward the officer, who fired four times at him.

The officer instructed Chakraborty to put the knife down at least eight times before discharging his weapon.

The defendant was transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where he has been receiving treatment since the incident.

Assistant District Attorney Hugh McCann of the District Attorney’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Whitney, Bureau Chief, Roni Piplani and Timothy Regan, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.