Violence in the 19th Ward. Suspect dies, police officer injured
A gunfight erupts after an active domestic conflict. Suspect killed, police officer injured.
A suspect was shot and killed by police in Rochester, New York after firing at three police officers and one victim, authorities said.
The shooting occurred late Friday, Dec. 19, while police were responding to a domestic incident. The officer and other victims sustained various injuries.
Rochester Police Chief David Smith said at a news conference Saturday morning, Dec. 20, that two Rochester Police Department officers responded to a call of a domestic dispute around 10:15 p.m. and were fired upon when they arrived on the scene.
“The caller stated that his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend was trying to break into her home and that the suspect may have a gun,” Smith said, adding that the caller told police he also had a handgun and a legal permit to own it.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found the suspect and “without warning, he was shot at point-blank range,” Smith said. Smith said the suspect “immediately pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots at the man who had called the dispute and at the officers,” striking both officers.
A gunfight then ensued between the suspect and the caller, and the caller was also shot multiple times.
The suspect fled, but another officer found him minutes later. When the officer ordered him to stop, the suspect pulled out a handgun again and shot the officer, Smith said. The officers opened fire, striking the suspect multiple times. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, Smith said.
All three Rochester Police Department officers remain hospitalized. The first victim was shot multiple times and was wearing a bulletproof vest. Smith said his injuries are not life-threatening and his condition is stable. The second victim, who was shot in the upper body, underwent surgery and is said to be in critical but stable condition. The third officer, who was shot in the upper body and seriously injured, is said to be in stable condition.
Smith said the victim who called the call had been shot multiple times. He is listed in serious but non-life-threatening condition.
Smith said the identities of the injured officer, suspect and victim have not been released and the investigation is ongoing. He said the Rochester Police Department’s Professional Standards Division, the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office are conducting parallel investigations into the shooting.
Civil servants expressed their admiration and concern for the injured officer. “We deeply appreciate the heroic actions of our officers and thank our fellow officers, law enforcement partners, and other first responders for their efforts to keep the scene safe and save lives,” Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said in a statement Saturday.
In a statement posted to X, Gov. Kathy Hochul said, “Our police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. Last night, three @RochesterNYPD officers were shot and killed while responding to a call. I will speak with Mayor Evans, share my prayers for their full recovery, and offer @nyspolice’s full support.”
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com
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