By Joanna Putman
Police1
WOODBURY, N.Y. — New York State Police released body camera footage showing a fatal shooting of a stabbing suspect who ran towards officers with a knife, according to a news release.
The Sept.18 incident began early Wednesday morning when State Police Troop T was alerted to a stolen vehicle. Troopers spotted the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to comply, according to the release. The vehicle eventually became disabled after striking a tractor-trailer and catching fire. The suspect fled the scene on foot into a wooded area.
State Police established a command post and initiated a search for the suspect, who was also wanted by the NYPD in connection with a stabbing investigation. Early in the afternoon, a homeowner alerted authorities to trail camera footage showing the suspect in a nearby wooded area, according to the release.
Troopers located the suspect and observed that he was armed with a knife. Video released on Dec. 2 shows officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon, but the suspect refused to comply. Troopers deployed a TASER twice, briefly incapacitating him, but the suspect got up and charged at officers while still brandishing the knife. A trooper then fired shots, striking the suspect.
Despite immediate life-saving efforts by law enforcement, the suspect died at the scene.
The operation involved assistance from the NYPD, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Woodbury Police Department, New York State Park Police, and specialized State Police units, including aviation, unmanned aerial systems and canine teams, according to the release.
