A late-night shooting in Rochester that left a civilian dead and multiple officers wounded is now under investigation by the New York attorney general’s office.
Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation announced Dec. 24 that it has opened an investigation into the death of Eric Davis following an encounter with Rochester police on Dec. 19.
The shooting sent three officers and a civilian to the hospital. At least two of the officers were critically injured during the incident.
911 call led to gunfire
Police say the encounter began around 10:23 p.m. after officers responded to a 911 call reporting a man trying to break into a house.
Two Rochester Police Department officers found Davis standing beside the home and ordered him to show his hands. According to investigators, Davis fired a handgun at the officers, striking them. At least one officer returned fire.
Davis then ran from the scene.
Second confrontation blocks away
A short time later, a third officer spotted Davis a few blocks away and again ordered him to stop and show his hands, authorities said.
Davis fired at that officer, striking him, and the officer fired back. A fourth officer arrived, ordered Davis to get on the ground, and also fired.
Davis was struck by gunfire and pronounced dead at the scene. Police recovered a handgun nearby.
Officers hospitalized
Three officers and a civilian suffered injuries and were hospitalized. One officer has since been released. Authorities said all injured individuals are expected to recover.
What the investigation covers
Under state law, the Office of Special Investigation reviews any case in which a police or peace officer may have caused a person’s death, whether the officer was on or off duty and whether the person was armed.
If the initial review shows an officer may have caused the death, the office conducts a full investigation.
The attorney general’s office stressed that the details released so far are preliminary and could change as the investigation continues.
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].