Holly MatkinBuffalo, NY – Three Buffalo police officers were shot during a lengthy high-speed chase that traveled through several areas of Buffalo on Tuesday night, according to police.
The incident began at approximately 6 p.m. on March 29, when an officer stopped a vehicle on East Ferry Street, WHAM reported.
The officer spoke with the driver briefly before the driver sped away from the stop, triggering a pursuit, according to police.
Officers chased the fleeing suspect northbound on Niagara Street, where one suspect bailed out and took off on foot, The Buffalo News reported.
The suspect vehicle then continued on to Routes 198 and 33, WIVB reported.
A gunman inside the fleeing vehicle opened fire on police on Bailey Avenue, shooting one officer through the windshield, according to police.
A second officer was shot in his ballistic vest, WGRZ reported.
The chase ended at the intersection of North Fillmore Avenue and East Ferry Street, directing in front of the Buffalo Police Department’s (BPD) Ferry-Fillmore District station, according to The Buffalo News.
A third police officer was shot in the ear and bicep during an ensuing exchange of gunfire with the suspects, WGRZ reported.
One of the suspects was also wounded, according to police.
A second suspect was taken into custody.
FILLMORE & E. FERRY: This is where the shooting ended. The car seen here has dozens of bullet holes. More at 10, 10:30 and 11 on @news4buffalo pic.twitter.com/kLib5ZHza8
— Tara Lynch (@thetaralynch) March 30, 2022
The wounded officers were rushed to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), where one officer was taken into emergency surgery, The Buffalo News reported.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said the officer has since been listed in stable condition.
The other two officers who were shot did not suffer life-threatening injures and are continuing to recover.
No information was released regarding the condition of the wounded suspect.
3 officers shot, perpetrators were caught fleeing The officers wounds are not life threatening at this time. Buffalo, NY. @markpoloncarz @KathyHochul it’s very obvious our streets are not safe and it’s getting worse. pic.twitter.com/gcIhmqsBtu
— Justa Notherguy (@CjCohan) March 30, 2022
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown told reporters the suspects “showed absolutely no regard for the community,” WIVB reported.
“I’m certainly very pleased that two suspects are in custody because these are very clearly very dangerous people,” Brown said.
The mayor said he is extremely thankful that no members of the public were injured during the chaos, according to The Buffalo News.
BREAKING: BPD says 3 officers struck by gunfire during pursuit. The injuries to the officers appear to be non-life threatening. Multiple individuals in custody at this time
— Buffalo Police Dept (@BPDAlerts) March 29, 2022
Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said it is far too early in the investigation to pinpoint the exact charges the suspects will face, WIVB reported.
“It was a long chase,” Flynn noted, according to The Buffalo News “There will be numerous charges, but they might not be until a later date.”
Commissioner Gramaglia said the pursuit was conducted within the parameters of the BPD’s pursuit policy, The Buffalo News reported.
He said investigators are still working to determine whether or not any businesses or residences were hit by gunfire during the chase.
#Breaking: we are hearing from Buffalo officials on the conditions of the three police officers shot. Mayor Brown says all three are stable, including an officer who just came out of surgery. pic.twitter.com/p1Vd9ug4Ct
— Marlee Tuskes (@MarleeTuskesTV) March 30, 2022
Bystanders captured portions of the incident with their cell phones, according to police.
“There are far too many guns illegally possessed in the hands of people who should not have them,” Commissioner Gramaglia said Tuesday night, according to The Buffalo News. “They need to spend time in prison.”
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