Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Releases Report on Death of Angely Solis

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) today released its report on the death of Angely Solis in Rochester, Monroe County. Following a thorough investigation, which included review of dashboard camera footage, ballistics testing, and a witness interview, OSI confirmed that off-duty Greece Police Department (GPD) Officer Tiffany Gatson shot and killed Angely Solis in front of her home on Costar Street November 14, 2022, before committing suicide minutes later.

On the evening of November 14, Ms. Solis called her sister, who said she could hear arguing in the background. Shortly after calling her sister, Ms. Solis called 911. The recording from the 911 call indicated an ongoing physical fight or struggle. When Ms. Solis’ sister arrived at the home on Costar Street, she saw Officer Gatson fighting with Ms. Solis and attempted to break them up, putting herself in between the two women. Officer Gatson then pulled out a handgun and shot Ms. Solis and her sister, before shooting Ms. Solis a second time while she was on the ground. Officer Gatson then shot herself in the head. Ms. Solis was pronounced dead at the scene. Officer Gatson was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a handgun registered to Officer Gatson at the scene.

The medical examiner’s analysis determined that Ms. Solis died from gunshot wounds to her head and chest, and the manner of death was homicide. The medical examiner also determined that Officer Gatson died from a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was suicide. Bullet fragments recovered from the wounds were determined to have been fired from Officer Gatson’s weapon.

A full review of the evidence supports the conclusion that Officer Gatson was responsible for Ms. Solis’ death. OSI uncovered no evidence indicating that any other person was involved in the homicide. Therefore, there is no basis on which OSI could seek charges against any living person in this case.

Executive Law Section 70-b directs OSI to investigate and, if warranted, prosecute offenses arising from any incident in which the death of a person is caused by a police officer, whether on or off duty. When OSI does not or, as in this case, cannot seek charges against the officer, Section 70-b requires OSI to issue a public report describing its investigation.