University State Police block Church Street during a police standoff with a suspect on Elm Street and a TLC Ambulance stands ready on Central Avenue. SARAH BULLOCK
Police were in their tenth hour of responding to an officer shooting incident and apparent armed standoff at 6 a.m. today, maintaining a lockdown on the Elm Street block between Central and Clinton avenues, as well as Greenbush and Church streets.
A city police officer was shot twice and sustained non-life-threatening wounds to his lower extremities, said Lt. Michael Strangeway this morning. According to scanner reports, the shooting occurred around 8:30 p.m. The officer was taken to Upstate University Hospital, Strangeway said. City police have not yet released the officer’s identity, but Strangeway stated the officer’s family is aware and have visited him.
“The suspect is contained, but not yet in custody,” said Strangeway. “A number of neighboring agencies have responded and are assisting in efforts to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.”
City, county, state and university police responded to the Elm Street block and closed the area to traffic throughout the night. A state police team dressed in camouflage, wearing helmets and carrying rifles were on the scene, as well as SWAT police and a SWAT Humvee.
The city fire department and fire police were assisting in cordoning the area from pedestrians Friday night. Early Saturday morning, a TLC Emergency Medical Services ambulance was stationed on Central Avenue, near the intersection of Church Street, in case of an emergency.
Police are continuing to turn back vehicles and pedestrians trying to traverse the Elm Street block and adjacent streets, and the public is advised to avoid the area.
