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World :: Tourists Film Police Shooting In New York

Tourists filmed with their mobile phones as police shot a knife-wielding man dead in New York's Times Square.

The scene where officers gunned down Darrius Kennedy, 51, has become a macabre photo opportunity for visitors to the city, who have been posing next to the blood-stained pavement.

New York's police department has been defending the killing after Mr Kennedy's family accused them of using excessive force to end the confrontation, which happened in broad daylight at one of the city's best-known tourist destinations.

Some witnesses have uploaded videos of the incident to YouTube.

The streets emptied but some people chose to follow armed with mobiles

It was the beginning of an encounter that would stretch for seven of the most crowded blocks in New York City and end a few minutes later with 12 gunshots and dozens of witnesses.

As officers spoke to Kennedy, he became agitated, pulled out the 11-inch Ikea knife and began to put a bandanna on his head, police said.

He ignored repeated orders to drop the knife and began backing away from them, continuing for blocks as he waved the knife and drew many officers into a slow-speed pursuit.

Brazilian tourist Lincoln Rocha told AP: "When I saw the officers draw their guns, I was sure they would kill him.

 "If they're going to kill him, I want to take some pictures, I want to record it."

According to the police, officers pepper-sprayed Kennedy six times but he held onto the knife throughout, wiping the spray off his face. Finally, he lunged at police and two officers shot him in the torso, police said.

In one video posted online, police cars with sirens blaring pull up as gunshots are heard before officers move quickly to drive back onlookers.

Kennedy was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.

He had been arrested 10 times previously, including seven for marijuana possession, police said. In 2008, he was taken to a hospital for observation after knocking down garbage cans in Times Square.

His cousin Kathy Johnson told the New York Daily News: "I think they could have given him a warning shot, probably a shot in the leg or arm."

But NYPD commissioner Raymond Kelly said: “I think the police responded appropriately."

Kennedy was smoking marijuana near the military recruiting station in Times Square about 3pm on Saturday when officers first approached, police said.