A deranged criminal with a 14-inch butcher knife breached an NYPD precinct and slashed a heroic officer’s face in a targeted attack that exposes dangerous security vulnerabilities in our police stations.
Story Highlights
- Justin Coleman, 36, with prior criminal record, invaded Brooklyn’s 73rd Precinct and attacked female officer
- Six-year NYPD veteran, daughter of two detectives, slashed in face but survived and recovered
- Suspect bypassed locked front entrance, accessed restricted rear area before launching unprovoked assault
- Body camera footage captured entire incident as officers fatally shot Coleman after he lunged with knife
Brazen Attack Inside Police Station Shocks NYPD
Justin Coleman, a 36-year-old career criminal, breached the NYPD’s 73rd Precinct in Brownsville, Brooklyn on September 7, 2025, around 5:30 a.m. After finding the front entrance locked, Coleman accessed a rear entrance marked for authorized personnel only. When confronted by a female officer who instructed him to use the front entrance, Coleman pulled out a massive 14-inch butcher knife and slashed the officer across her face before fleeing the building.
Officer’s Law Enforcement Heritage Makes Attack More Personal
The attacked officer, a six-year NYPD veteran, represents the best of law enforcement tradition as the daughter of two NYPD detectives. This family dedication to protecting New Yorkers makes Coleman’s vicious assault particularly heinous. The officer was treated at a local hospital for facial lacerations and released the same day, demonstrating the resilience that defines our finest. Mayor Eric Adams visited the officer, showing the city’s support for those who risk their lives daily.
Swift Police Response Ends Deadly Threat
Officers immediately pursued Coleman as he fled the precinct, repeatedly ordering him to drop the weapon. Body camera footage captured the entire chase and confrontation, showing Coleman’s complete disregard for police commands. When Coleman turned and lunged at pursuing officers with the knife raised, they had no choice but to use lethal force. Coleman was struck multiple times and pronounced dead at Brookdale Hospital, ending a threat that could have claimed more lives.
Unprecedented Security Breach Demands Investigation
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry correctly identified this incident as a “clear targeted attack” on law enforcement. The breach of a police station’s secure perimeter represents an alarming escalation in anti-police violence that demands immediate action. Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera emphasized the unique danger posed by attacks within precincts, traditionally considered safe havens for officers. The NYPD Force Investigation Division is conducting a thorough review of both the shooting and security protocols.
Criminal History Reveals System Failures
Coleman’s criminal background, including an assault charge from April 2024, raises serious questions about why dangerous repeat offenders remain free to threaten law-abiding citizens and police officers. This attack underscores the consequences of weak criminal justice policies that prioritize criminals over public safety. While investigators continue examining Coleman’s motive, the pattern is clear: career criminals emboldened by lenient prosecution policies pose increasing threats to our communities and law enforcement personnel who protect them.
Sources:
Video footage shows horrific knife attack on NYPD officer at station
Man fatally shot by NYC police after he allegedly attacked officer with knife at Brooklyn precinct
BWC shows man attack NYPD officer with knife inside precinct before fatal OIS
Police shoot, kill man after officer slashed at Brooklyn precinct
