Gunman used cocaine before killing deputy and officer with 40-round assault rifle in Salina

UPDATE: 4-16-24 4:00 p.m.: Tom Newton, the Public Information Officer with the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office says an unknown number of guns removed from the suspect’s house on Tuesday, April 16.

Newton also confirmed a 40-round banana clip was used, which is illegal as New York State only allows 10 rounds in an assault rifle.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The shooter who killed two police officers Sunday in the Town of Salina had used cocaine with a friend in the hours before, the Onondaga County District Attorney tells NewsChannel 9.

The alleged impairment is the closest investigators have gotten to explaining why a man with only a DWI on his criminal record would brutally attack police who had tried to pull him over for speeding.

The death of the two law enforcement officers has shaken the community, and will be felt for, “days, weeks, months and years,” said Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile.

A briefing was held on Monday, April 15, about the Sunday shooting that killed Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen and Onondaga Sheriff’s Lieutenant Michael Hoosock.

The Syracuse Police Department, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Mayor Ben Walsh, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and President of the Syracuse Police Benevolent Association, Joe Muran, were all in attendance.

“More than just remembering them, we will honor them,” said Chief Cecile about the fallen heroes.

The incident happened around 7 p.m. on Sunday when Officer Jensen and another officer observed a gray Honda Civic in Tipperary Hill that they deemed suspicious.

They attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect, 33-year-old Christopher R. Murphy of Salina, fled. Cecile says Murphy was going at speeds of over 100 mph.

Officer Jensen and his partner used Murphy’s plate and registration to track him to a home on Darien Drive in Salina.

When they arrived at the home, they were greeted by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and Lieutenant Deputy Michael Hoosock.

They were all inspecting the vehicle when they heard, “a gun being manipulated,” according to Cecile.

That gun was Murphy’s AR-15, a semi-automatic firearm.

Hoosock went behind a maple tree in a neighbor’s yard to take cover when he was “Ambushed,” said Shelley. Murphy began shooting at the officers from his back deck, which is where he killed Hoosock.

He then moved to the front yard, where he shot and killed Officer Jensen, and it was after that officers shot and killed Murphy.

“This is something you can never prepare for,” explained Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley

“Two of our brothers gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Shelley.

Officer Michael Jensen of the Syracuse Police Department had served for over two years.

Jensen thought he was going to do what he signed up for which was to enforce the law, but, “unfortunately an evil demon took him away,” said Muran.

According to Cecile, Jensen quickly made a difference in the environment around him.

Syracuse Police Officer, Michael Jensen

Lieutenant Deputy Michael Hoosock joined the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office in 2007. He was a Watch Commander, a Bomb Squad Commander and a recipient of commendations and medals, including the Medal of Valor in 2020.

On top of that, he was part of the Critical Emergency Management Department, a Field Director for fire service and a volunteer firefighter at the Moyers Corner Fire Department.

Lieutenant Hoosock leaves behind a wife, and three children, ages three, five and seven.

Onondaga County Sheriff’s Lieutenant, Michael Hoosock.

Syracuse Mayor Walsh thanked first responders and hospital staff who were, “nothing short of heroic.”

At the emergency room after the incident, over 100 officers and deputies showed up to honor the fallen. Muran said you could hear a pin drop.

“We have officers in this room right now that are grieving. We have officers that are in their homes right now that are grieving. We have officers out on the streets continuing to protect them while they’re grieving. Please wrap your arms around them and lift them up,” said Walsh.

Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick says they are working on the what right now.

“Who fired what, where were they, who actually killed Murphy, we already know who killed Hoosock and Jensen,” said Fitzpatrick.

Their next step is to find out the why.

“How does a guy go from DEFCON 5 to DEFCON 1 over a bunch of traffic tickets,” explained Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick says that Murphy warned his friend to get out of the house, leading police to believe this incident wasn’t spontaneous, but rather that he was looking to kill cops.

The sheriff’s office also took a man named Shawn Kinsella into custody, who they say is a friend of Murphy’s. No charges have been filed at this time.

Watch the full press conference in the media player below.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - NewsChannel 34.