Introduction
In a developing story that highlights the growing tensions between city leadership and law enforcement, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch has publicly expressed her dissatisfaction with Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s response to two recent police-involved shootings in New York City. The incidents, which occurred within hours of each other, have drawn criticism from Tisch and other officials who felt the mayor’s response was both delayed and lacking in clarity.
The Incidents
The first shooting took place inside Brooklyn Methodist Hospital around 5:30 p.m., where a former NYPD officer, Michael Lynch, 62, barricaded himself in an eighth-floor room with a jagged piece of a broken toilet. Lynch, who had resigned from the NYPD in the 1990s, held an elderly patient and a security guard hostage. After attempts to subdue him with Tasers failed, officers resorted to using their firearms, ultimately resulting in Lynch’s death.
The second incident occurred around 11 p.m. in Manhattan, where officers responded to an apparent road rage incident involving Dmitry Zass, 37. Zass exited a BMW with what appeared to be a gun in his hand, prompting officers to open fire. Zass was pronounced dead at a local hospital, though it was later revealed that the weapon was an imitation Sig Sauer handgun. Authorities noted that Zass’s parents had called 911 before the incident, reporting that he had attacked his father with a gun.
Mamdani’s Delayed Response
Mayor Mamdani, who had campaigned on a platform that included calls to “defund the police,” waited 16 hours before releasing a statement addressing the shootings. The statement, which emphasized an “internal investigation” by the NYPD, drew criticism from insiders who believed it implied wrongdoing by officers without sufficient evidence.
“I know many are eager for answers,” Mamdani wrote on X. “The NYPD is conducting an internal investigation — I will work with Commissioner Tisch to ensure this is as thorough and swift as possible.”
Reaction from Commissioner Tisch
Commissioner Tisch, who was briefed by administration officials immediately after each shooting, was reportedly displeased with the mayor’s handling of the situation. A visibly upset Tisch was seen storming out of City Hall later that morning while Mamdani was attempting to defend his response to reporters.
“I take it very seriously the language that I use, and I think that in a situation such as this, you have to be very intentional in what you share,” Mamdani said during an unrelated event at Brooklyn College. However, his words did little to quell the growing controversy.
Contrast with Previous Responses
Interestingly, Mamdani had rushed to the scenes of two 5-alarm fires in Queens and The Bronx earlier in the week, delivering updates alongside FDNY officials. Critics have pointed out the stark contrast between his swift response to those incidents and his delayed reaction to the police shootings.
Public and Official Reactions
Insiders and law enforcement officials have expressed concern that Mamdani’s statement could undermine public trust in the NYPD. The emphasis on an “internal investigation” without any preliminary findings has raised questions about whether the mayor is predisposing officers to guilt, a sentiment that has not gone unnoticed by Tisch and others.
Conclusion
As the situation continues to unfold, Mayor Mamdani faces growing pressure to clarify his stance and address the concerns raised by Commissioner Tisch and the public. The incidents highlight the delicate balance between civilian oversight and law enforcement operations, a tension that remains a focal point in the ongoing dialogue about police reform in New York City.
