Three police officers were wounded late Friday night in Rochester, New York, after coming under gunfire while responding to a reported attempted break-in at a private residence.
According to authorities, officers attached to the Rochester Police Department’s Genesee Division were dispatched to a home on the 600 block of Chili Avenue at about 10:15 p.m. following a 911 call reporting that a man was trying to force his way into his former girlfriend’s house.
Police said the caller alerted emergency services that the suspect was a licensed handgun owner and could be armed.
Rochester Police Chief David Smith told journalists during a Saturday briefing that officers encountered the suspect outside the residence upon arrival.
As they approached, the man allegedly opened fire without warning at close range, hitting two officers.
A shootout followed, during which the individual who placed the emergency call was also struck several times.
Authorities said the caller was armed and discharged his weapon during the exchange.
The suspect fled the scene but was later tracked a few blocks away, where he shot another responding officer, Smith said.
Other officers subsequently confronted the suspect and returned fire, hitting him multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released.
Providing an update on the injured officers, Smith said one officer sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body and is in stable condition.
A second officer, also shot in the upper body, underwent emergency surgery and is listed as critical but stable.
The third officer suffered serious injuries but is likewise reported to be in stable condition.
The 911 caller remains hospitalised in serious but non-life-threatening condition, police said.
Authorities have withheld the identities of all officers involved, and investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
