Officers fatally shoot man carrying BB gun in Carle Place on Long Island, police say
Police on Long Island say officers shot and killed a man who pointed a BB gun at them overnight in Carle Place. He was identified as 33-year-old James Rosano.
Nassau County Police said the man's mother called 911 shortly after midnight to report her son was intoxicated, acting out of control and refused to leave their home on Rushmore Avenue.
Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said the man was also carrying what appeared to be a shotgun. After the shooting, investigators learned it was a BB gun, Ryder said.
"While our first officer is speaking to the mother at the door and turns, looks to his right, that individual picks that gun up and points it at our officer. He immediately pushed the mother into the house, putting his life in danger to save that woman," Ryder said.
"He feared for his life and for the life of the mother," Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick added, saying the man was screaming and waiving the gun.
Police said the responding officers repeatedly ordered Rosano to drop the weapon before he was shot once in the chest and died at NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island.
"Our officers were confronted with what appeared to be a deadly weapon and acted with courage to protect themselves and the community. The loss of life is always tragic, and our thoughts are with the family. We will continue to stand with the officers who will carry the weight of this tragedy with them forever," said Tommy Shevlin, president of the Nassau County Police benevolent Association.
Rosano had history of arrests and substance abuse, police say
Fitzpatrick said Rosano had a criminal history and was arrested as recently as Sept. 1 for assault. The department also received past calls for depression, intoxication and overdose, he said.
"The mother has told us that he has an extensive history of intoxication, alcohol abuse, controlled substances," said Fitzpatrick. "Last night, she stated that he was highly irrational and out of control. That's what forced her to call 911."
Fitzpatrick said after the mother called 911, Rosano told her that he was going outside to "die by the police." He said Rosano then went out a backdoor and came up on the officers in between two houses.
"It's unfortunate this ended in this manner, but I think the officers need to be praised for saving the mother and for holding off until the ultimate moment where they had to take action," Fitzpatrick said.
The block surrounding the home on Rushmore Avenue was blocked off for several hours overnight. Investigators could seen going in and out of the house, carrying evidence bags over to multiple Crime Scene Unit vans.
Carle Place is a hamlet in the town of North Hempstead, located between Mineola and Westbury. Neighbors say it's typically a quiet area and a close-knit community.
The officers' body camera video has been sent over to the New York Attorney General's office for further investigation, which is standard with police shootings.
