The windshield of Trooper Timothy Conklin's patrol vehicle shows the fury of his gunfight with suspect Nicholas Philhower. The suspect was killed. Trooper Conklin was wounded. He has been released from the hospital. (Photo: New York State Police)
A New York State trooper is expected to make a full recovery after being wounded in a deadly shootout Monday night with a Windsor man who reportedly stole his mother's car. Trooper Timothy Conklin, 28, has been released from the hospital.
The suspect, Nicholas Philhower, 30, of Windsor, was pronounced dead at the scene of the encounter on Route 17 in Kirkwood.
At a news conference Tuesday, state police officials said they're still investigating what motivated Philhower to open fire with an illegal (in New York) semi-automatic rifle after being stopped along Route 17 East, PressConnects reports.
Troopers in Binghamton were contacted at 6:09 p.m. by Philhower's mother who reported her son had taken her vehicle without permission and she wanted him arrested, New York State Police Troop C Major William McEvoy said.
Eleven minutes later, Conklin saw the suspect vehicle traveling west on a 65-mile-per-hour stretch of Route 17 West.
There was no time for Conklin to launch a formal pursuit, McEvoy said, and Philhower came to a stop shortly after reaching the eastbound Route 17 driving lane.
Philhower then opened fire on Conklin through the rear window of his mother's vehicle.
Conklin returned fire through his patrol vehicle's windshield — it was riddled with bullets from both firearms by the end of the exchange — and then Conklin got out of his vehicle after reloading his duty weapon.
Conklin was treated Monday night for a shrapnel injury to his upper right arm. It is expected he will be able to return to duty.
