Delrawn Small, 37

Brooklyn, New York
July 04, 2016

Agencies: New York Police Department NYPD | Office of the Attorney General New York

Cause of death: Not Yet Known


Follow This Case


Last updated: about 3 years ago

Overview

Unarmed 37 year-old Delrawn Small was killed in a road-rage showdown with an off-duty cop under investigation who answered two punches with three point-blank gunshots.

Small, his girlfriend, their 4-month-old son and her two daughters were driving through East New York to meet up with his older brother Ali Dempsey for the Fourth of July.

A witness said the rapidly escalating confrontation began when Small, driving a 2016 Kia, felt he had been cut off by Isaacs shortly after the cop’s 4 p.m.-midnight shift had ended.

A video camera captured Small, who was two cars in back of Isaacs, exiting his car when both vehicles reached a red light, according to cops, who refused to release the video embedded below.

A warrant was obtained to search the 2002 Nissan Altima belonging to Wayne Isaacs, 37, a three-year NYPD cop. The Brooklyn resident pulled his service weapon and opened fire at Small, an ex-con, from the front seat.

Mayor Bill De Blaso called the video of the shooting "disturbing."

Legal Action

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office said on July 5, 2016 that it had launched a full investigation into the road rage shooting death of Small.

On July 11, 2016, the NYPD anounced that it had stripped the officer in this case of his badge and gun, while this incident was being investigated.

It was reported on July 21, 2016 that the wife of Delrawn Small was filing a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city, seeking restitution for what she insists was a "cold-blooded murder."

On September 26, 2016  the off duty officer was charged with second degree murder for the killing of Small.

On November 6, 2017, a jury acquitted 38-year-old NYPD Officer Wayne Isaacs of murder and manslaughter charges in the death of 37-year-old Delrawn Small. Isaacs said he fired the fatal shots in self-defense.

Community and Family Efforts

July 2016 NYC protest here herehereherehereHere Rochester NY female speaker at protest arrested

July 2016 Police Chief and Mayor of Rochester questioned about protests

In January 2021, Officials announced that the New York Police Department would bring disciplinary charges against an officer who killed Small.

Additional Resources: