Democrat Offers Condolences to Knife-Wielding Man Shot by Off-Duty Cop

Democratic Boston Mayor Michelle Wu offered her condolences to a knife-wielding man who was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer inside a Chick-fil-A restaurant on Saturday, which sparked backlash on social media.

Newsweek has reached out to Wu’s office via online email form and the Boston Police Department via email for comment on Sunday.

The Context

Democrats have long been accused by conservatives of being soft on crime and being anti-police due to policy positions and legislative actions, such as supporting reforms that include calls to defund the police which aimed at addressing systemic issues within the criminal justice system in regard to police brutality.

The calls led to law enforcement being cut in a number of Democratic-controlled cities. Conservative critics linked this to a subsequent crime wave, as violent crime increased from 363.9 cases per 100,000 people to 377.6, between 2019 and 2021, according to figures compiled by data analysis platform Statista.

This comes as police killings have also long raised concerns from the public, most notably leading to massive Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests in 2020 following the death of George Floyd by Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was convicted of his murder. The killing, which was captured on video by a bystander, ignited global protests against racial injustice, police brutality and saw a reemergence of the BLM movement.

What To Know

Saturday’s incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. local time at a Chick-fil-A at the Boylston Street location where officers responding to reports of a shooting discovered a man suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound, according to the Boston Police Department, per local news station 7News Boston.

According to officials, the off-duty officer said the man was chasing two individuals inside the restaurant with a knife. Despite identifying himself as a police officer and issuing commands to drop the weapon, the man did not comply, leading to the fatal shooting.

The injured man was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities have not yet released his identity. The officer, whose name has also not yet been released, was taken to the hospital for evaluation but was not hurt.

In response to the incident, Wu offered condolences while thanking first responders for their actions.

“My condolences and my thoughts are with the individual whose life has been lost and I’m also thinking of all of the people who were impacted here today in one of the busier parts of the city with this tragedy. I’m glad that the officer is safe and I’m very grateful for a quick response from all of our first responders,” Wu said, per 7News Boston.

Since Wu’s remarks, conservatives took to X, formerly Twitter, to express opposition to her giving condolences to the knife-wielding man.

Meanwhile, the Boston Police Detectives Union also praised the actions of the off-duty officer, according to CBS News.

“Last night, an ‘off duty’ member of the Boston Police recognized a threat, activated himself and took decisive action to end that threat, likely saving countless lives in the process,” the union said in a statement.

The opposition to Wu’s remarks come as she aims for a second term in this year’s mayoral election. While she hasn’t formally launched her reelection campaign, Wu has said she is running for a second term as she faces a challenge from longtime philanthropist and son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Josh Kraft.

Last month, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association (BPPA) officially endorsed Wu in her bid for a second term and is the first time the city’s largest police union has supported a Boston mayor for reelection in more than 30 years, according to the BPPA.

Police Reform Recommendations

Saturday’s incident comes months after a group of law enforcement leaders called on police departments nationwide to reform their approach to using physical force in light of escalating fatalities during civilian encounters.

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) issued an extensive report in September, advocating immediate changes in training, procedures and the treatment of individuals in crisis.

The initiative follows an investigation spearheaded by the Associated Press, revealing over 1,000 deaths over a decade tied to restraint methods meant to subdue individuals without fatal intent, notably including Floyd’s murder.

In the wake of these findings, the PERF has introduced new guidelines aimed at curtailing preventable deaths and injuries by refining how and when officers use force. The research forum’s recommendations, which will be applied to all incidents officers handle, include better coordination with medical responders, de-escalation tactics and adherence to long-standing safety warnings.

“Every police chief, sheriff, trainer, officer, and any other person involved in these incidents should take the time to read these principles and put them to use,” the recommendations said. “They can save lives.”

PERF, a Washington, D.C.-based organization led by law enforcement chiefs and administrators, has previously crafted policy guidelines on using tasers and body cameras at the Justice Department’s request.

What People Are Saying

Political YouTuber Dronetek wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “WHAT THE F***? Boston’s racist Mayor Michelle Wu, the police commissioner and DA, all give condolences to the family and friends of a guy who just tried to stab people. Wild.”

Animator and conservative commentator Paul A. Szypula wrote on X: “An off-duty police officer in Boston saved lives on Saturday by neutralizing a knife-wielding maniac who chased two people into a Chick-fil-A. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu reacted by bizarrely giving condolences TO THE ATTACKER. Democrat leaders treat criminals as victims.”

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox described the incident as “tragic” and said: “We don’t look for loss of life, so condolences go to the individual who was killed tonight, we are proud of the police officers who activate themselves, whether they’re on-duty or off-duty, to save lives.”

Boston Police Detectives Union said in a statement, per CBS News on Sunday: “It is a testament to the commitment your officers have to their beloved City and a reminder that they are never truly ‘off duty.’ We are thankful that the officer and countless innocent civilians are physically safe.”

Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), said in September: “In these situations, police need to know what they can do. Because if it doesn’t go right, the police are going to be held accountable.”