Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Monroe County
NEW YORK – The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of a civilian who died on August 6, 2023 following an encounter with a member of the New York State Police (NYSP) in Monroe County.
On the evening of August 6, an NYSP trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop on I-490 in Rochester. The driver of the vehicle did not comply and instead drove away from the scene, prompting the trooper to follow. The pursuit continued until the driver jumped a curb and got out of his vehicle in the town of Gates, at which point the trooper attempted to arrest him. During the encounter, the individual allegedly fired a gun at the trooper and the trooper returned fire. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials recovered a gun at the scene.
Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.
These are preliminary facts and subject to change.