13/11/2025
The New York Attorney General’s Office says Suffolk County police officers were legally justified in the fatal shooting of Bruce Boyd during a violent encounter in Brentwood earlier this year.
The findings, released Thursday by the Office of Special Investigation, state prosecutors could not disprove beyond a reasonable doubt that officers acted lawfully when they opened fire on Boyd, who died on April 4. A full public report will be released later as required by state law.
Police were called to Boyd’s home around noon for a wellness check. Officers initially got no answer at the door, and a neighbor contacted Boyd’s wife, who returned from work to unlock the house. According to investigators, she walked inside but immediately ran back out.
Seconds later, officers saw Boyd emerge from a hallway covered in blood and holding two knives. The AG’s office said Boyd had self-inflicted stab wounds and had threatened his wife before police entered.
Boyd then stepped outside with a knife raised over his head and charged at an officer despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, investigators said.
When he came within a few feet of police, officers fired, striking him. Body-worn camera footage recorded the confrontation, and two knives were recovered at the scene.
He was taken to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, where he was pronounced dead.
Boyd had worked as a training officer with the NYC Department of Correction’s Emergency Service Unit before retiring about five years ago.
