Mamdani criticized for opposing prosecution after alleged knife confrontation

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New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani confronted backlash Sunday after suggesting {that a} mentally sick man who was shot after allegedly charging at cops with a knife deserves psychological well being therapy as a substitute of prison prosecution.

"For Mamdani to take any place on this that may paint that police officer as doing something however what you'll educate in a course is malpractice for the place he holds, and I hope that somebody holds him accountable for it," stated "The Huge Weekend Present" co-host Joey Jones.

Jones’ remarks got here after 22-year-old Jabez Chakraborty was shot by NYPD officers in Queens for allegedly charging them with a big kitchen knife throughout a psychological well being episode — a case that has sparked debate over Mamdani’s name for therapy as a substitute of prosecution.

Police advised Fox Information Digital Thursday that the household had requested an involuntary removing of their son, a request that requires each police and EMS to reply.

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New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks throughout an announcement on junk charges within the Susan and John Hess Household Theater on the Whitney Museum of American Artwork in New York on Jan. 21, 2026. (Adam Grey/Bloomberg through Getty Pictures)

The Queens district lawyer’s workplace is investigating the incident, with preliminary experiences suggesting prosecutors are contemplating an indictment for tried homicide.

Mamdani, nonetheless, met with Chakraborty's household and echoed their argument that he wants "psychological well being therapy, not prison prosecution from a district lawyer."

"We're speaking a few household that's enduring the sort of ache that no household ought to and a person that has lived with schizophrenia for a few years," Mamdani stated throughout a information convention final week.

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This undated picture exhibits a New York Police Division (NYPD) badge on a uniformed officer. (iStock)

"An individual experiencing a psychological well being episode doesn't all the time must be served first or completely by a police officer. It will be significant for us to have all the choices out there," he added.

Jones stated Mamdani’s stance warrants seen backlash from regulation enforcement, corresponding to officers beforehand turning their backs on metropolis leaders.

Fox Information contributor Man Benson stated the video makes clear that police exhausted each choice earlier than utilizing drive and argued Mamdani’s response exhibits he views the suspect — not the officer — as the first sufferer.

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"To then go in solidarity with the knife-wielder who ignored these orders from the police and to point out up in that hospital room like he is the true sufferer on this relatively than the police officer who lastly fired his weapon in self-defense…

"It says every thing about this mayor of this town , what he sees as his worldview, who he sees as victims and aggressors, and I do not suppose the film will get higher from right here," he stated.