SHARE

White Plains Police Release Name of Chamberlain's Shooter

This story has been updated to include comment from city PBA President Robert Riley.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong has released the name of the officer who fired two bullets into Kenneth Chamberlain's chest, sending the 68-year-old former Marine and corrections officer to the hospital, where he died during surgery.

Chong confirmed Thursday that the officer was Anthony Carelli, whom he previously described as an eight-year veteran of the department who had never before used his gun on the job. After the Nov. 19 shooting, Chong said Carelli was treated for trauma at the White Plains Hospital, but he wouldn't elaborate on whether Carelli's assignment would be altered.

The officer's name was released days after the Chamberlain family implored city hall to pressure police and the district attorney's office to answer their questions.

Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. and his attorneys claim police responding to a false medical alert at his father's apartment shortly after 5 a.m. ignored Chamberlain Sr. when he declined medical assistance. Lawyers said video and audio of the incident prove that officers taunted Chamberlain Sr. and called him a racial slur before breaking down his door, firing a Taser at him without issuing commands and ultimately killing him.

Police have declined to comment since the Chamberlains filed a notice of claim informing the city, police department and housing authority to expect a wrongful death lawsuit. Previously, Chong said officers began unhinging the door to find out why there were screams and incoherent noises coming from Chamberlain Sr.'s Winbrook Public Housing apartment. Officers confiscated a hatchet lodged in a crack in the door, according to Chong, and then found Chamberlain Sr. inside with a butcher's knife.

Police said officers tried to use non-lethal tactics, including negotiations, a Taser and a beanbag gun, but according to Chong, Chamberlain Sr. came at Carelli with the knife, prompting him to shoot him in the chest twice. 

Chamberlain died approximately two hours later while undergoing surgery at White Plains Hospital.

White Plains Police Benevolent Association (PBA) President Robert Riley criticized the decision to release Carelli's name and stood behind the officer.

"We are very disappointed that anybody would release the name of this officer during an ongoing investigation. Officer Anthony Carelli has numerous commendations and has been an excellent police officer, both on and off the job and he deserves the right to a fair and impartial inquiry," Riley said in a statement. "We believe this is such a tragic case and are confident that the investigation process will show our officers acted appropriately.”

to follow Daily Voice White Plains and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE