ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Interim Rochester Police Chief David Smith says a man is facing multiple charges following the attempted murder of an officer Thursday night on the city’s northeast side.
During a press conference Friday morning, the police chief said officers responded to reports of a fight in the area of Avenue D shortly before 8:30 p.m. Once on scene, officers encountered a man with a handgun, according to the chief.
Officials say the suspect, 27-year-old Isaiah Williams, fired one round at the officers from the handgun, but no officer was struck by the gunfire. The chief said Williams fled on foot but was eventually taken into custody. No injuries were reported and the suspect’s handgun was recovered.
Williams is charged with aggravated attempted murder of a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, and menacing.
“The suspect has an extensive criminal history,” Smith said. “He is known to police.”
The chief said it’s “frustrating and heartbreaking” that an officer was shot at again, not far from a similar situation on Remington Street last month.
“If you remember about a month ago, we were one block that way, we were dealing with something very similar,” said Lt. Greg Bello. “Different circumstances but at the end of the day this is now two incidents within two blocks of each other where officers are facing a threat to where they’re firing their weapons.”
“I have never seen the frequency of attacks on police officers that I’m seeing now,” Smith said.
Location
Full Press Conference
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