Attorney general’s office opens investigation into fatal police-involved shooting on Belt Parkway

Authorities say police stopped 65-year-old Brian Astarita for speeding when allegedly got out of the car and approached officers with a gun.

News 12 Staff

Nov 14, 2021, 6:37 PM

Updated 1,124 days ago

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Attorney General Letitia James announced her office has opened an investigation into the police-involved shooting that took place on the Belt Parkway Thursday afternoon.
Authorities say police stopped 65-year-old Brian Astarita for speeding when allegedly got out of the car and approached officers with a gun.
Police say they repeatedly asked Astarita to drop the weapon, but they say he continued to make advances, which prompted one of the officers to shoot.
Astarita was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
James says the Office of Special Investigations is legally required to investigate every incident reported where a police officer may have caused the death of a person.