Watch NYPD Officer Stop Suspect Using Mom in Chokehold as Shield

March 4, 2024
In recently released body camera footage, an NYPD officer is seen fatally shooting a suspect with a single shot as the man choked his mom into unconsciousness in a Bronx apartment.

The NYPD released body camera footage from December of an officer fatally shooting a man who was yelling that he had a knife and was holding his mother in a chokehold.

The incident happened at about 11:30 a.m. Dec. 23 when police responded to a report of a suspect with a knife acting violently at a Bronx apartment, the New York Post reports. When officers reached the unit, they encountered a man—identified as Michael Dotel, 30—who had his right arm around her neck and was adding pressure with his left hand.

“Do it, she’s gonna get it,” Dotel yelled at the officers as he used his mother as a shield. The suspect also continually told police to shoot him.

Officer Alex Morgese fired a single shot at Dotel as the mother in the chokehold began to lose consciousness. The bullet struck Dotel in the head, and he was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

In December, NYPD officials had said Dotel had held his mother at knifepoint

“These officers were met with a chaotic, fast moving situation, but they had great composure,” NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said at a press conference following the incident.

About the Author

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.

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