Latest on Officer-Involved Shooting in New Rochelle

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (July 7, 2023) — Last night, 37 year old Jarrell Garris experienced brain death after getting shot by New Rochelle Police on Monday. A press conference will be held by Mr. Garris’ father shortly.

Statement from New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, City Council, District 3 Council Member Yadira Ramos-Herbert, City Manager Kathleen Gill, Police Commissioner Robert Gazzola:

The City of New Rochelle is deeply saddened by the tragic events of this week, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Jerrel Garris and with all in our community who have been affected. We are fully committed to a transparent, thorough investigation, and will continue to work diligently with outside agencies in their independent review, while also addressing the legitimate concerns and questions that arise whenever a police officer is involved in a shooting.

EDITOR’S NOTE: That Yadira Ramos-Herbert was included in an official statement from the City of New Rochelle is unprecedented. It would seem unfair both to other Council Members and to other candidates running for Mayor. Very odd.

Statement from Congressman Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. (NY-16):

I am sending my deepest condolences to the friends and family of Jarrell Garris. He should be alive today and back home in North Carolina with his son. Instead, even though the police knew he experienced schizophrenia, he was shot and killed after police accused him of stealing food from a nearby grocery store. Police brutality has been sickening our country and taking the lives of our loved ones for decades. We must protect the Black bodies that are the most vulnerable and root out the police brutality that has spread to every corner of our country. Let’s begin the process of curing America of its anti-Black racism that is so intricately and intentionally woven into the fabric of every American system and institution. It’s time to enact and pass federal, state and local legislation that holds law enforcement accountable and takes a public health approach to public safety. Police cannot be the only officials involved when it comes to public safety – we need social workers, community members, doctors, and more to ensure safety for everyone. We cannot lose any more precious lives to senseless police killings.

RETRACTION of Statement from Congressman Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. (NY-16):

Following new information that Jarrell Garris is alive but has experienced brain death, the statement from Congressman Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. has been retracted.

Statement from the African American Advisory Committee of New Rochelle

The African American Advisory Committee (AAAC) is shocked and stunned by the tragic events surrounding the New Rochelle police-involved shooting of Jarrell Garris, an unarmed, African American former resident. Reports on Jarrell Garris’ condition, as of Friday, July 6th, was that he is on life-support. The AAAC continues to meet with the City of New Rochelle, NRPD and our Community Partners to determine the full extent of what took place on July 3rd when Jarrell Garris was approached by three members of the NRPD, that resulted in a struggle in which he sustained life-threatening injuries. The AAAC is calling for the immediate release of unedited bodycam footage of the July 3rd arrest and significant reform in NRPD’s protocols for interacting with the African American community and individuals with known mental health challenges. AAAC will pursue its advocacy for transparency and continue to monitor the situation.

African American Advisory Committee:

• Angela Davis Farrish – Chairperson
• Min. Mark McLean – Co-Chairperson
• Nate Adams – Member
• Kwamain Dixon – Member
• Leslie Gaskin – Member
• Rev. Dierdra Gray-Clark – Member
• Linda Tarrant-Reid – Member

Statement from the New Rochelle Branch NAACP

The New Rochelle Branch of the NAACP is outraged by the news of the police shooting of Jarrell Garris, an unarmed African American man, in the middle of the day, on Lincoln Avenue in New Rochelle, on July 3,

2023. Subsequent to speaking with Jarrell’s family, the Police Commissioner, elected officials, and reviewing the released police bodycam footage, we are left with many unanswered questions. What we know is that there was a call to the NRPD over alleged shoplifting from a local supermarket. The released bodycam footage showed Jarrell calmly walking away from 2 female police officers who were trying to engage him in conversation. They were joined by a third male police officer. It is unclear how the situation escalated to the point where an officer discharged a firearm resulting in a gunshot wound leaving Jarrell hospitalized, fighting for his life. Food insecurity is not a death sentence.

Mental illness is not a death sentence.

We are calling for the release of the full bodycam footage and for a complete, thorough, timely and transparent investigation into the events that transpired. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jarrell and his family at this time.

Aisha Cook

Acting President

New Rochelle Branch NAACP

CC:

Leticia James – NYS Attorney General

George Latimer – Westchester County Executive

Press

NR Police Commissioner

NR Mayor

NR City Manager

City Council Representatives

Statement from New York State Police:

On July 3, 2023, at approximately 4:29 p.m., the New Rochelle Police Department responded to a local grocery store for a larceny complaint resulting in an officer involved shooting.

Responding officers confronted Jerrel Garris, age 37, for allegedly stealing items from a local grocery store. Officers Kari Bird, Gabrielle Chavarry, and Detective Steven Conn of the New Rochelle Police Department approached Mr. Garris and while attempting to arrest him, Detective Conn fired one round from his department issued firearm subsequently striking Mr. Garris. No additional rounds were fired.

Lifesaving techniques were employed by the officers and Mr. Garris was ultimately transported to Westchester Medical Center where he remains in critical condition.

The New York State Police and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate.

Officer Involved Shooting in New Rochelle

New Rochelle police shot man over fruit, family alleges. They want full video, witnesses ($)

We reported on the aggressive attitude of the New Rochelle Farms grocery store towards shoplifters back in May.