Transcript
Host (0:00)
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human crime alert. Hourly update. Breaking crime news now.
Sydney Silvani (0:09)
I'm Sydney Silvani. New York City police have released body cam video that captures the terrifying moment a routine domestic violence call turned into a life threatening explosion. It happened early Thursday morning at a residence in Queens. Officers were responding to a 911 call involving a man with a knife. But as they approached the front door to intervene, the entire front of the building was obliterated in a ball of fire. In the video you can see an officer attempting to use a key to enter the home when the blast literally knocks the responding units off their feet. Here is that initial moment of chaos.
Host (0:54)
You all right?
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (0:54)
The guy just lit the house on fire.
NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh (0:57)
We got an explosion.
Sydney Silvani (1:00)
Despite being thrown to the ground and suffering burns and lacerations, those officers didn't retreat. Commissioner Jessica Tisch says that in that moment of total uncertainty, officers chose to move forward into the fire. The footage shows them rushing toward the mangled remains of the apartment to pull residents to safety, including several young children who were caught in the middle of this nightmare. I can't breathe. In total, seven officers were injured. Thankfully, Commissioner Tisch confirmed they have all been treated and released from the hospital. NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh held a press briefing explaining that the suspect, a 50 year old man, allegedly arrived at the home intoxicated and armed with a knife. Family members reported a strong smell of gas before the police even arrived.
NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh (1:57)
At approximately 2:42am the officers from the 106 Precinct respond to a 911 call of a domestic dispute with a knife. The call was placed by a family member of the victim who stated that her male relative arrived at their residence intoxicated and armed with a knife and there were there was a smell of gas in the residence.
Sydney Silvani (2:18)
Security footage from the scene shows the suspect arriving with two garbage bags filled with unknown canisters. Police say he forced his way in through an air conditioning unit.
NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh (2:27)
Mr. Parsaram forced his way into the apartment by pushing the air conditioning unit. Once in the apartment, the daughter and his two grandchildren of the victim managed to flee to safety, while Mr. Parsharam began menacing and threatening the remaining victim with a knife. The victim was able to safely get