Queens, NY – gun 29-year-old Chez Fray was fatally shot by NYPD officers in the early morning hours of December 21, 2025, in Far Rockaway, Queens. He was reported to be holding a box cutter when he was shot by police officers after allegedly advancing toward them. 

Incident Overview

According to NYPD officials, officers were dispatched just after 12:25 a.m. to an apartment on Nameoke Street following a 911 call about a dispute between a father and son. When officers arrived, Fray’s parents met them outside and later led them into the building. As they were leaving the apartment, Fray was seen in the hallway holding a box cutter, police said. 

Police allege they issued multiple verbal commands to drop the weapon and attempted de-escalation, but Fray did not comply. According to NYPD Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera, Fray charged at officers, prompting one to deploy a Taser and another to fire their weapon, striking him. He was transported by EMS to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The box cutter was recovered at the scene.

Fray’s family disputes the NYPD’s narrative that he charged at officers. At a press conference, his parents claimed one officer had instructed the use of a Taser and that the fatal shot followed almost immediately afterward despite pleas to “don’t shoot him.” The family also expressed outrage over the fact that the father was briefly detained following the shooting, although officials have not clarified why he was held.

Representatives from the New York Attorney General’s Office confirmed an initial assessment is underway.

Legal Standards & Use-of-Force Principles

Use of Deadly Force

In New York, law enforcement officers are generally permitted to use deadly force only when they reasonably believe the suspect poses an imminent threat of serious physical harm or death to officers or others. This standard originates from principles first articulated by the U.S. Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor requiring that the officer’s use of force be objectively reasonable under the totality of the circumstances.

In many police shooting cases, whether the subject was armed with a weapon that could inflict serious harm (e.g., box cutter, knife, or other edged tool) becomes a key legal consideration. If the subject’s movements are interpreted as advancing on officers with a weapon, courts have often found justification for force if lesser means (such as tasers or verbal commands) are ineffective or impractical. However, such determinations hinge on the precise facts and timing of events — often illuminated only through video evidence and thorough investigation.

Investigations and Accountability

Officer-involved shootings in New York lead to multi-level scrutiny, including internal department review, NYPD Force Investigation Division’s inquiry, and typical involvement by the State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation to assess whether the use of force was lawful and consistent with policy.

What Families & Advocates Should Know

If you are affected by an officer-involved shooting or concerned about use of force in your community:

  1. Request Records and Video Evidence: Official reports, 911 calls, and body camera footage are often critical for understanding how and why force was used.
  2. Understand the Investigation Process: Independent reviews by state attorneys general or inspector generals can provide transparency beyond internal police procedures.
  3. Consult Legal Counsel: Families may have civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 or other state law causes of action if the use of force was unlawful.
  4. Advocate for Policy Reform: Engaging local policymakers about crisis response alternatives and de-escalation training can be part of community safety solutions.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by police misconduct or an in-custody incident such as this one involving Chez Fray, contact The Sehat Law Firm at (949) 825-5200 for a free consultation, or complete the form at the bottom of this page to discuss your case with our legal team.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary, and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.