State reviews fatal police shooting of Poughkeepsie man wielding samurai sword

Police ordered the younger man to drop the sword. When he did, an officer fired and struck him.

News 12 Staff

Jun 11, 2025, 5:10 PM

Updated yesterday

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The state Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation is reviewing a police-involved shooting last week in Dutchess County.
Officers found two men: one holding the sword by its handle and the other, who appeared injured, holding it by the blade.
Police ordered the younger man to drop the sword. When he did, an officer fired and struck him.
Brian Czornyj was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The older man was treated and released. A samurai sword was recovered at the scene.