NY Attorney General opens investigation in fatal police shooting of elderly Brooklyn man

State Attorney General Tish James’ office has opened an investigation into the deadly encounter between cops and an elderly Brooklyn man in Bedford Stuyvesant.

On Thursday, two NYPD officers fatally shot a 78-year-old man while responding to a report of a burglary in progress.

According to state law, any death of an individual that may have been caused by a police officer must be investigated by the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation.

The trouble began Thursday afternoon when someone who knew the elderly man called 911 call to report his uncle believed there was a break-in at his apartment, cops said.

When officers arrived at the second-floor apartment at 330 Lewis Ave. between Hancock Ave. and Jefferson Ave., the man stepped outside with a gun in his left hand, police said.

Officers dove for cover and yelled at the man — but when he raised the gun, both cops shot at him, police said.

“He clearly charged at officers with his gun. We don’t know why, though,” said NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey.

The incident, which lasted less than two minutes, was captured on the officers’ body-worn cameras, police said.

The victim’s gun was illegally owned, police said Friday. Authorities said the dead man had no prior interactions with the NYPD before the shooting.

Norma Martinez, 70, recalled her elderly neighbor as an older man struggling with health issues.

“That old man couldn’t even walk,” she said. “He had to use a cane everywhere. But he did do everything himself, groceries and laundry ... I know one thing for certain — that old man did not deserve to die.”