Man Tased After Walking Into NYPD Station Armed With Knife
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police used a Taser on a man who pulled a knife inside a Brooklyn police precinct on Sunday morning. The scary incident was captured on video.
Officers responded quickly to take the man into custody, CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported.
Police said Starlin Lopez walked into the 75th Precinct station house on Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn at around 8:30 a.m. Video shows him holding a large knife in his left hand.
Two people were in the lobby area when Lopez, who police said is bipolar, said to officers, using foul language, that the government was messing with him and he wanted police to shoot him.
The bystanders gingerly walked away as officers ran into the lobby and surrounded Lopez and drawing their weapons. Police said the officers asked him to drop the knife, but he refused.
That's when police used their Tasers to subdue the man. He is seen falling to the floor and then asks police "Why didn't you shoot me?"
Lopez was rushed to the hospital. On the way there police said emergency responders asked if he was suicidal. They said he responded by saying "I am to chicken to kill myself."
Laury Lopez said her family is deeply concerned about her brother.
"He hears voices and everything, so maybe that's why he came to the precinct. Because there's no reason that he take a knife and he come and do this. He don't do that before," Laury Lopez said.
She said her brother suffers from mental illness and lives with their mother, Yoselin Lopez, adding Starlin is supposed to be on medication, but he didn't take it on Sunday.
Members of the Lopez family said they found out what happened to Starlin when a relative told them about the-now viral video on social media.
Neighbors said Starlin Lopez is a familiar face on the block, and they are grateful police were able to safely take him into custody.
"Why he do this in the precinct? I don't know. But you know something? The police did the right thing, too," said East New York resident Enrique Rodriguez. "I give points to the police because he could have been killed, so easy. But you know, he needs help. That kid needs help. That's what he really needs."
Starlin Lopez was taken to Brookdale Hospital Medical Center. Police said he will not face any charges.
NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan praised the officers on social media, saying, "Though prepared for the worst, they delivered a safe outcome for everyone. Well done!"
