Unfolding of the Incident
Bashe McDaniel, a 52-year-old parolee, was shot dead by MTA police officers in Queens, New York, on December 29, 2023. Body camera footage, recently released, shows McDaniel conversing calmly with the officers prior to him shouting, “What did I do?” as the officers forcibly took him to the ground to handcuff him.
The scuffle, which took place near 91st Ave. and Sutphin Blvd. in Jamaica, began after a 19-year-old woman accused McDaniel of groping her. The officers confronted McDaniel, who resisted arrest, refusing to remove his hands from his pockets.
Tensions Escalate
Threatened with a taser during a three-minute standoff, McDaniel continued to struggle. Bodycam footage shows one officer yelling, “You’re going to get tased! Put your hand behind your back! Let me see your hands!”
When McDaniel failed to comply, the officer tased him. Amid the chaos, a loaded Mac-10 machine pistol in McDaniel’s jacket pocket discharged, causing bystanders to run in fear.
The Final Struggle
The video footage displays a visibly shaken McDaniel rolling onto his back, seemingly reaching into his pocket where the machine pistol was visible. Seeing this, the officers fired at least eight rounds towards McDaniel, who was lying on the sidewalk.
As the officers retreated, one falls but quickly regains his position. When checked for injuries, both officers confirmed they were unharmed. Meanwhile, McDaniel lay motionless, the machine pistol underneath his body. Later, EMS rushed McDaniel to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigation Begins
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation is currently scrutinizing the police-involved shooting. The incident, which played out in the presence of nearly a dozen bystanders including some children, was captured on surveillance cameras.
Victim Background
McDaniel had a history of five prison sentences, primarily for weapons possession. Court records show that he had previously been convicted of manslaughter in 1988. He was released on parole in September 2022, which was set to end in 2026.
Origin of the Incident
The encounter with McDaniel started after the woman reported him to the MTA Police, alleging that he had groped her. She provided a photo of the attacker, who sported a “Killa” baseball cap and distinctive varsity jacket with the letter “B” – attire that matched with what McDaniel was wearing at the time of his death.
Police Version
The officers involved, one a three-year veteran and the other with a year’s experience, were part of District 3 at the Jamaica Station. This incident marked the first time either of them used their weapons while on duty. This case also marked the third police-involved shooting by the MTA in its 26-year history, with officers only ever discharging their weapons in five instances.