Holly MatkinDuanesburg, NY – A New York State Police (NYSP) trooper was shot by a felon after he pulled a woman over for speeding last week.
The incident began at approximately 11:16 a.m. on June 16 when NYSP Trooper Richard Albert spotted an SUV traveling eastbound at approximately 100 miles per hour on Interstate 88, The Post-Standard reported.
Trooper Albert stopped the vehicle near exit 23 and was approaching the driver when a passenger inside the SUV suddenly reached through the driver’s side window and shot him in the arm and shoulder, according to the Times Union.
The image of the shooter pointing his gun at the trooper was taken from the hero’s bodycam.
Authorities have not yet released the bodycam video.
The passenger was later identified as 32-year-old convicted felon Nelson Troche.
The driver, 30-year-old Alicia Eriole, was blocked from driving away from the scene due to a crash that occurred while the shooting was unfolding, the Times Union reported.
During that incident, a tractor-trailer slammed into the back of a pickup truck and pushed the vehicle down the interstate for approximately a quarter mile to the site of the shooting.
NYSP spokesperson Trooper Stephanie O’Neil said the tractor-trailer blocked the suspect vehicle in and prevented Eriole from being able to drive away.
Investigators said Eriole and Troche bailed out of the SUV and ran over to the pickup that had been struck, then tried to drive off with it, the Times Union reported.
Troche was still holding a gun at the time and allegedly pointed the weapon at the driver of the pickup truck, according to police.
When they realized the truck was disabled due to the crash, Troche jumped out and ran off into the woods, the Times Union reported.
Eriole surrendered to police a moment later.
Police said they found Troche in the woods suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound approximately 90 minutes after he had shot Trooper Albert, the Times Union reported.
They rendered aid to the suspect until he was airlifted to Albany Medical Center Hospital by emergency medical personnel.
Troche was pronounced dead at the hospital, the Times Union reported.
Investigators said the gunman had just been released from prison in March after serving an 11-year manslaughter sentence, according to The Post-Standard.
He was on parole when he shot the trooper, the Times Union reported.
Trooper Albert was transported to Ellis Hospital for treatment of his gunshot wounds and has since been released to continue his recovery at home, according to The Post-Standard.
Eriole has been charged with weapons possession and two counts of robbery, the Times Union reported.
The judge set her bail on the weapons possession offense at $100,000 cash or $500,000 bond.
Eriole’s bail on the robbery charges at $5,000 cash or $25,000 bond, the Times Union reported.
