Shoplifting suspect shot after lunging at officer with knife, Buffalo police say
Buffalo NY December 12 2018
A Buffalo police officer shot a man Tuesday night after officers responded to a shoplifting report and the man charged at the officer with a knife during a foot chase, according to police.
Police were called to Wegmans on Amherst Street at about 11:20 p.m. An on-duty police lieutenant happened to be at the store at the time and was alerted to the theft by employees, said Buffalo Police Capt. Jeff Rinaldo.
Central and Northwest District officers were called to the scene.
A short time later, the suspect was spotted on Amherst Street and ran from police, Rinaldo said.
The foot pursuit continued onto Gladstone Street, where the man climbed onto a flat-roof garage and was followed by officers.
That was when the man charged at police with the knife, Rinaldo said. At least two officers were on the roof at the time the suspect was shot and only one officer fired shots, he said.
The man was listed in critical condition in Erie County Medical Center, Rinaldo said.
Police have not released the man’s name nor the identity of the officer who shot him. The officer has been placed on leave under department protocol.
Gladstone runs off Military Road, a block north of Hertel Avenue. It’s about a mile from the store to Gladstone.
Buffalo News
