NY Officer Injured in Assault by "Suspicious Person"

A Canastota (NY) Police Officer is recovering after being attacked while in the line of duty Wednesday afternoon.

According to Canastota Police, Officers were requested to check on reports of s suspicious person in the Liberty Resources on North Main Street in the Village of Canastota just after 2:00 PM. When Officers arrived, they reported a man acting in a disorderly manner. When an officer approached the man, he was attacked, unprovoked, repeatedly being punched in the face and head, CityCentral reports.

The officer requested backup, and a deputy from the Madison County Sheriff's Office arrived, who used his stun gun to secure the man until additional officers arrived. The officer was then transported to an area hospital, where he underwent surgery for eye injuries. He is currently in stable condition, according to village officials.

The suspect has been identified by authorities as 25 year-old Richard Branch Jr. of Canastota. He was arrested on multiple charges.