Olean man shot by police after allegedly pointing gun at officers
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — An Olean man was shot by police multiple times early Wednesday morning after he allegedly pointed a gun at officers, according to New York State Police.
Police said they responded to reports of a possibly suicidal individual on North 7th Street just after 12:45 a.m. A 23-year-old man was walking along the sidewalk and allegedly pointed a black BB gun at officers when they tried to engage with him.
The two responding troopers and one responding sergeant shot the man multiple times. It is unknown exactly how many shots were fired. The entire incident lasted for around 11 minutes and occurred on an unlit road.
Police said the man would not engage or communicate with police prior to the shooting.
A family member called 911 after the 23-year-old man made “suicidal statements,” according to police. He has had both mental health-related and criminal-related run ins with police in the past. No mental health professionals responded to the scene.
Emergency medical aid was rendered before the man was taken to Olean General Hospital by ambulance. He was then transported to ECMC where he remains in critical, “guarded” condition. No one else was injured.
The man was involved in a similar incident in 2022. According to police, a trooper and a deputy responded to a report of a possible suicidal subject in Cattaraugus County on the night of July 9. The Olean man was shot after drawing an airsoft gun and treated at ECMC for a non-life threatening wound. He was also given a mental health evaluation.
Police say they are not yet releasing the names of the troopers involved in Wednesday’s incident or the body camera footage. That information is expected soon.
The responding officers were put on employee assisted leave.
The BB gun was recovered at the scene. The incident remains under investigation with charges pending.
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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.
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