Inspection Detail

Inspection: 302415104 - Lockport City Municipal Bldg

Inspection Information - Office: Nys Dol Pesh Buffalo

Investigation Summary

On February 9, 2003, Employee #1 and Employee #2, two Lockport City police officers, had been searching for a suspect in a shooting that had occurred the previous night. They, along with other officers from Lockport City Police Department and the Niagara County Sheriff's Department, located the suspect at the Village Mobile Home Park in Lockport, New York. The gunman ultimately took his own life at the same location as well. As the suspect drove his car from the interior of the mobile home park towards the Transit Road exit from the park, he fired at officers through the windshield of his car. Employee #1 was hit as he was exiting his patrol vehicle to seek cover. He was struck in the shoulder. Employee # 2 was in his sport utility police vehicle when he was rammed by the suspect's car. As the suspect continued to push Employee # 2's vehicle backwards, he continued to fire his assault rifle. As Employee #2 exited his vehicle, he was struck by a bullet in the armpit area of his right side. As Employee #2 scrambled for cover, the gunman, who had abandoned his vehicle, kept firing at him. Employee #2 stumbled as the effects of his initial wound overtook him. He fell to the ground and a bullet from the suspect's rifle penetrated one leg, passing through it and penetrating Employee # 2's other leg. The two wounded police officers were wearing the Department issued soft body protective armor at the time. Investigation revealed that both officers were struck in areas of the body not protected by armor. Both employees were treated at a local hospital.

Keywords: GUNSHOT, LEG, PUNCTURE