Suffolk police fatal shooting of Brentwood man with knife investigated by New York state attorney general

New York State Attorney General Letitia James’ office has opened an investigation into the death of a Brentwood man who Suffolk County police said was fatally shot after he lunged at two officers with a knife last week.

Suffolk police fatally shot former New York City correction officer Bruce Boyd, 54, outside his Wurz Street home on Friday afternoon, authorities said.

Officials said three Third Precinct officers responded to the home after a family member asked police to check on Boyd. When officers arrived at the scene, they met Boyd’s wife in front of the home. The wife let the officers inside the home, where they encountered Boyd, who was holding a knife drenched in blood from what appeared to be self-inflicted wounds.

The officers retreated out the front door and onto the lawn, urging Boyd to drop the knife, officials said. Instead, Boyd charged at the police, prompting one officer to open fire, police said.

The officers performed CPR until an ambulance arrived. Boyd was taken to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, where he was declared dead, officials said. Boyd’s wife was not injured.

Boyd had a history of "emotionally disturbed calls," but did not have a criminal record, officials said.

The state Attorney General’s office investigates every instance in which a police officer, corrections officer or other peace officer may have caused a death. Under New York State law, investigations are launched whether the officer is on-duty or off-duty, or whether the decedent is armed or unarmed.

If the Office of Special Investigation determines an officer may have caused a death, it launches a full investigation of the incident.