The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has launched an investigation into the death of Nancy Loftus, who was fatally shot by New York State Police troopers during a confrontation in Orange County.
The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of April 12 in the town of Deerpark. According to initial reports, troopers responded to a 911 call at approximately 2:30 a.m. about an assault involving a knife at a local residence.
When officers arrived at the scene, they encountered Loftus outside the home holding what appeared to be a firearm. Troopers instructed her to drop the weapon and then discharged their service weapons, striking her. Loftus was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. An imitation pistol was recovered at the scene.
Under Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI is required to investigate any incident in which a police or peace officer may have caused a civilian’s death, regardless of whether the individual was armed, unarmed, in custody, or incarcerated.
Officials emphasized that the facts of the case are preliminary and subject to change as the investigation progresses.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].