Family members of fallen NYPD officers are speaking out against New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of opportunism following a private visit with the family of Officer Didarul Islam, who was killed in a Midtown mass shooting earlier this month, as reported by The New York Post.
Mamdani, a state assemblyman from Queens known for his past support of the “defund the police” movement, attempted to present a new stance on policing on Wednesday. While visiting Islam’s relatives, Mamdani claimed he now supports the NYPD and law enforcement.
But for the families of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, Mamdani’s comments rang hollow.
“Now, when a police officer is killed he wants to say, ‘Oh, I support the police,’” said Tatyana Timoshenko, whose son, Detective Russel Timoshenko, was fatally shot in 2007 during a routine traffic stop involving a stolen BMW.
“It’s a little too little, too late,” she added. “This is breaking my heart all over again. It’s the worst nightmare for the family right now. Our hearts go out to them.”
Officer Islam, a 36-year-old father of two, was fatally shot by Shane Tamura in a mass shooting incident in Midtown. Islam had served with the NYPD for approximately four years.
Mamdani’s visit came just days ahead of Officer Islam’s funeral, scheduled for Thursday. Mayor Eric Adams is also expected to attend.
Grace Machate, widow of NYPD Officer Robert Machate, who was killed in the line of duty in 1989, also criticized Mamdani’s sudden change in messaging.
“Right now, he is saying everything that these young people want to hear,” she said. “He’s making promises, but they are not reality.”
Machate noted that she was pregnant when her husband was killed, as was Officer Islam’s widow.
Mamdani addressed reporters Wednesday upon returning from a trip to Uganda. He attempted to distance himself from his prior public comments on policing, including several controversial social media posts.
“I am not running to defund the police,” Mamdani said. He added that his previous remarks were “out of step” with the city he now hopes to lead.
Mamdani’s record on law enforcement has been a source of criticism since he announced his candidacy.
His prior support for reducing police funding has made him a target for both political opponents and the families of NYPD officers who view his current messaging as politically calculated.
As Officer Islam is laid to rest, questions remain about the sincerity of Mamdani’s shift and whether it will resonate with New Yorkers who have long supported law enforcement.
