Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins and Mayor Kathy Sheehan brief the press about a shooting that wounded an Albany officer on April 17, 2024.Screenshot of Streamed Albany PD Press Conference
An Albany Police officer was shot and wounded early Wednesday in an exchange of fire that killed the suspect.
Albany officials say the incident began shortly before 12:30 a.m. when a patrol officer spotted a car traveling at a high rate of speed on city streets.
The officer pursued the vehicle, but decided to self terminate the chase when it became too dangerous, Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins said during an afternoon press conference. He praised the officer’s “impressive” decision-making for breaking off the pursuit as the suspect was driving at high speed the wrong way on a one-way street.
The officer soon found the vehicle parked on a nearby street.
When he got out of his patrol vehicle and started to approach the suspect’s vehicle, the officer came under fire.
Body camera footage released by Hawkins shows a shadowy figure come out from behind the rear of the vehicle and open fire.
The officer was hit in the upper thigh. He returned fire and reported “shots fired.”
Hawkins emphasized that the video shows that the suspect fired first. At least one gun other than the officer’s duty weapon was found at the scene. Hawkins said at least 10 shell casings were recovered from the scene.
The wounded officer was transported to a local hospital. Surgery was performed and he is awake and talking. The name of the officer had not been released at presstime. Hawkins said he was a young officer with two to three years of service.
The suspect was pronounced dead at a local hospital. His name has not been released, pending notification of family. Hawkins said he had a “troubled history.” He would not divulge details.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan called the attack on the officer an “ambush.” She said she was “hopeful for the outcome” after speaking with the officer in the hospital.
