Rape suspect killed in officer-involved shooting, authorities say

CARTHAGE, New York (WWNY/Gray News) - State police said a rape suspect was killed in an officer-involved shooting Wednesday in New York.

Troopers in New York said the situation started when they pulled over a vehicle to apprehend a man wanted on a bench warrant on a first-degree rape charge.

According to troopers, the man pointed a handgun at a state police investigator and was not complying with verbal commands to disarm before a member of the state police fired their gun, striking the man.

Medical aid was provided at the scene, and the man was taken to Carthage Area Hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

Police did not release the name of the suspect or the law enforcement officer who shot him.

Dispatch report

Multiple police agencies were called to the scene. Jefferson County dispatchers said they received a report of someone suffering a gunshot wound in the vicinity of West Street and South Washington Street.

Dispatchers said the person was reportedly conscious and able to speak.

At the scene

Yellow police tape was seen at either end of West Street between South Washington and Thorpe streets.

Residents described the neighborhood as a calm place to live.

“To see this in my front yard is kind of nerve-racking because I’ve lived here for about a year and a half and it’s been a really safe neighborhood,” Samantha Ortiz, who lives nearby, said.

AG’s Office investigating

Troopers said the state Attorney General’s Office is investigating the shooting, as it does with any officer-involved shooting.