MYFOXNY.COM -
Police shot and killed a man wielding a knife Saturday afternoon near Times Square after chasing him down Seventh Avenue from 44th Street to 37th Street.
The Darrius Kennedy, 51, was shot 12 times and was taken to Bellevue Hospital at 3:12 p.m. as he was going into cardiac arrest. He later died from his injuries.
Authorities say the incident began when officers approached the man they say appeared to be smoking marijuana near West 44th Street and Seventh Avenue, in the heart of Times Square.
The man became angry, pulled out an 11-inch knife and began to put a bandanna on his head, according to police. He refused repeated orders to drop the weapon and began backing down the street.
The suspect continued to flee for a number of blocks, drawing many officers into a foot pursuit.
Police said officers pepper sprayed the man six times but he wouldn't drop the knife. He then lunged at police at West 37th Street and two officers shot him 12 times in the torso.
The police chase and dramatic shooting shocked tourists and passersby in the busy Midtown area.
Fox 5 News obtained exclusive cell phone video that showed the suspect appear to taunt numerous police officers waving a knife at them.
Angel Colon was on his lunch break when he whipped out his phone and captured the moments just before cops opened fire.
"You could see he has a Rambo type knife," said Colon. "He seemed confused but he was quite edgy and cops were saying ‘drop it', and then pow pow."
42nd Street near Times Square was shut down as police investigated. Witnesses said the suspect seemed erratic.
"We see the guy as we came out the subway and my friend and I actually saw it (shooting)," said Julian Miller.
Another witness, Jobby Nogueras said, "He was just swinging a giant knife around like he was kind of dancing with the knife."
One witness if he believed the shooting was justified.
"He threatened lives of people so he had to be put down."
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said that Kennedy was involved in a similar incident in 2008.
"This individual was arrested for doing roughly the same thing with a screwdriver in Manhattan," Kelly said Sunday.
