| Date | October 18, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Time | 6:00 p.m. |
| Location | 630 Pugsley Avenue, Castle Hill, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.[1] |
| Type | Homicide by shooting, police killing |
| Participants | Sgt. Hugh Barry |
| Deaths | Deborah Danner |
| Accused | Hugh Barry |
| Charges |
|
| Verdict | Not guilty on all counts |
Deborah Danner, 66, was fatally shot by New York City Police Department Sgt. Hugh Barry on October 18, 2016, in her home in the Bronx, New York. According to police sources, she was armed with first a pair of scissors and then a baseball bat. According to an emergency medical technician, she had put the scissors down, and later on picked up a baseball bat. Barry was charged with murder and manslaughter in May 2017. He was acquitted in February 2018.[2]
On October 18, 2016, a neighbor called 911 at 6:05 p.m. and reported that Danner was erratic.[3] Police had been called to her apartment before. According to the police, Danner had scissors, and Barry talked her into putting them down. Then she picked up a baseball bat and swung at him. Barry shot Danner twice, fatally wounding her. He was the only officer in the bedroom, although others were on the scene.[4]
According to court testimony by Brittney Mullings, an emergency medical technician, Mullings had arrived before Barry. Danner had put down the scissors and Mullings was talking to her. Danner was not holding anything in her hands. Mullings was trying to explain to Danner why they had arrived. Barry then arrived, and did not talk to Mullings or Danner. The police interrupted their conversation, and Danner retreated into her bedroom. Six police officers followed Danner into her bedroom, and a minute later, Mullings heard two shots.[5]