NEW YORK, NY – The New York City Police Department has confirmed an accidential gunfire discharge by one of its officers during the public safety detail to remove violent and hostile protesters who barricaded themselves into a building on the campus of Columbia University.
The operation was by request of university officials after supporters of Hamas, calling for intifada, had blocked off portions of the campus and denied access to Jewish students.
Police responded to an incident at Columbia University on Tuesday where an officer accidentally discharged a firearm. The event occurred inside 1130 Amsterdam Avenue at about 9:38 PM. An Emergency Service Unit officer, while conducting a thorough search of the first floor, was attempting to access a barricaded area. Equipped with a flashlight on his firearm, the officer was surveying the area when he accidentally fired a single round, hitting a wall frame nearby. Fortunately, the bullet did not strike any person, and no injuries were reported.
Police personnel were the only individuals in proximity to the incident. The NYPD has initiated an immediate investigation and classified the event as an accidental discharge. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has received body camera footage from the incident. A comprehensive briefing is scheduled for Friday at 11:30 AM at One Police Plaza.