Police Fatally Shoot Woman Who Stabbed Two in Times Square Attack
Was the use of lethal force justified or was this bad policing?
Above: Police secure the scene in New York City's Times Square after a woman stabbed two people on Aug. 31. Image credit: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The NYPD deserve to be thanked for their actions in stopping a horrific attack from becoming even worse. While an investigation will be held and the bodycam footage will be released to the public, police were fully entitled to use lethal force on this occasion.
Establishment-critical narrative
Police could have easily subdued the mentally ill woman but instead chose to dangerously discharge their weapons in a busy Times Square. This is embarrassingly poor policing.
