The New York Police Department is in the midst of another controversy after an officer was caught on aerial video footage laughing at a dying suspect. 

According to The New York Post, a police helicopter video cam picked up the shots exchanged between officers and a suspect identified as Brandon Clayton. An unnamed officer reportedly celebrated the fatal shot that claimed Clayton's life.

“That’s one less a**hole to sue us,” the officer joked. 

Clayton was reportedly fleeing from police around 2:30 a.m. last Monday. According to NYPD, he was wearing a black mask and fired several times at a police squad car. 

“When the three officers who were inside their patrol car attempted to speak to the man, he immediately fled toward 788 Howard Avenue one officer exited the vehicle and the other two drove onto Howard Avenue, the perpetrator fired numerous rounds at their vehicle, striking it,” NYPD Chief Terry Monahan said in a news conference.  

Clayton ended up in the backyard of a Howard Avenue resident before officers encountered him. Both officers and the perpetrator fired rounds at each other, but only Clayton was fatally shot. He was transported to the nearby Brookdale Hospital Medical Center. The 29-year-old was pronounced dead sometime later.  

“As uniformed patrol officers gained entry to the back yard, they were fired upon numerous times and exchanged gunfire with the perpetrator,” Monahan said.

Although the officer responsible has yet to be named, the Daily Mail reports the actual helicopter pilots were not involved in the mocking. The officer has become scrutinized by fellow officers who claimed the shooting was justified. 

According to the Daily Mail, a source reportedly told the news outlet “he screwed up the whole department with his negative comment.” As protocol dictates, the department will review the footage and proceed with a possible punishment for the officer. 

“The NYPD is aware of the video and it is under review,” an NYPD spokeswoman told The Post.