Michael Lembhard, 22

Newburgh, New York
March 07, 2012

Agencies: Newburgh Police Department New York

Cause of death: Shooting


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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

A 22-year-old man was gunned down by police in his family’s home after he allegedly lunged at officers with a knife.

It happened on Wednesday in the city of Newburgh, 60 miles north of Manhattan, and now the city has voted to ask Gov. Andrew Cuomo to appoint a special investigator to look into Michael Lembhard’s death.

 

Order broke down almost immediately at a meeting Friday to discuss the investigation of the police shooting. Angry relatives and friends of Lembhard were among those earlier demanding outside investigators.

“They got what they asked for,” one person said.

Lembhard, a troubled father of two, was wanted for failure to report to court on a domestic violence charge when he was killed.

“Come on! Domestic violence causing this? No, no. I say no,” said Mary Hall, Lembhard’s sister.

Lembhard ended up dead in his sister’s living room after officers said he lunged at them with a knife.

Legal Action

March 2012 Special prosecutor appointed to examine death of michael Lembhard

July 2012 Officers cleared

January 2016 Settlement $81,000