Zohran Mamdani slammed for ‘defund the police’ comments after NYPD officer slain in mass shooting

The slain officer, 36-year-old Didarul Islam, was working a security detail when the shooting occurred. Islam, a four-year NYPD veteran, was off-duty but sacrificed himself to protect others when the shooter, identified as Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, opened fire.

Mamdani posted on X Monday night, “I’m heartbroken to learn of the horrific shooting in Midtown, and I am holding the victims, their families, and the NYPD officer in critical condition in my thoughts. Grateful for all of our first responders on the ground.” Mamdani was celebrating his marriage in Uganda when he made the post.

However, Mamdani’s statement was quickly met with backlash on social media as users resurfaced several of his posts from 2020, during the height of the anti-police BLM and Antifa riots. In one post dated June 8, 2020, Mamdani wrote, “No, we want to defund the police.”

In another from November 5, 2020, he stated, “Queer liberation means defund the police.”

On June 28, 2020, Mamdani wrote, “We don't need an investigation to know that the NYPD is racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety. What we need is to #DefundTheNYPD. NO to fake cuts — defund the police.” Later that year, he went further, saying, “Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence.”

In another post from 2020, Mamdani replied to a post about an officer crying in his car with "nature is healing."

Critics accuse Mamdani of flip-flopping to try to appeal to a broader electorate by posting condolences now. During a recent primary debate, Mamdani backtracked on his previous comments by stating, “I will not defund the police. I will work with the police because I believe the police have a critical role to play in public service, public safety.”

Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD officer now running as an Independent, posted a video early Tuesday en route to the hospital for the dignified transfer of Officer Islam’s body.

“I’m on the way to the dignified transfer of fallen police officer Didarul Islam, who was killed in tonight’s senseless mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan,” Adams said. “He put his life on the line for all of us and died a hero. He and his family are in my prayers tonight, and I’m praying for the families of the three other innocent people killed tonight, as well as the fifth victim still fighting for their life.”

The four-way mayoral race is scheduled for November 4. Mamdani’s Democratic primary win over former Governor Andrew Cuomo shifted the race’s dynamics. Cuomo has opted to stay in the race as an Independent, setting the stage for a high-stakes general election showdown with Mamdani, Adams, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.