The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation has launched an investigation into the fatal shooting of Eric Davis in Rochester. The probe follows a violent encounter involving the Rochester Police Department, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
On the night of December 19, police responded to a reported break-in attempt at a residence in Monroe County, where they encountered Mr. Davis, who fired his weapon, striking two officers before he attempted to escape on foot, and during the ensuing chase, a third officer was also struck after Mr. Davis fired upon him, and after a fourth officer arrived ordered Mr. Davis to the ground then fired, resulting in Mr. Davis being shot and subsequently pronounced dead at the scene; the sequence of these events led to the opening of the OSI investigation, which examines incidents where an officer's actions or omissions may have caused a civilian's death.
The incident left three officers and a civilian wounded, all of whom were hospitalized—with one of the officers already discharged—and are expected to recover from their injuries, according to the Attorney General’s Office. In the aftermath, a handgun was located near Mr. Davis, which is believed to have been used during the confrontation.
OSI will conduct a review as required under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, which mandates investigations of police-involved deaths regardless of duty status, whether the individual was armed, or whether the person was incarcerated. The investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Davis’s death, and initial information may change as additional evidence becomes available.
