Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Ontario County

NEW YORK – The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of an individual who died on November 15, 2023 following an encounter with a member of the New York State Police (NYSP). 

On the evening of November 15, a NYSP trooper responded to a residence on State Route 64 in East Bloomfield. When the trooper arrived, he encountered the individual at the residence and, once the individual came outside, the trooper engaged with him verbally. The individual then allegedly charged at the trooper with a knife and the trooper fired his weapon at the individual. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers recovered a knife 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.