Rochester Police and city leaders are releasing new details about a violent shooting that unfolded Friday night, leaving three officers wounded and one person hospitalized with serious injuries.
Rochester Police Chief David Smith and Mayor Malik Evans addressed the incident during a news conference on Monday. Police say the suspect, identified as Eric Davis, had previously threatened the victim, telling her in July that he was going to “put a bullet in her head.” While that victim was not injured in Friday’s incident, another person was shot multiple times and remains hospitalized. That individual reportedly fought back, using a legally owned handgun and firing at least six shots.
According to police, Davis had an active arrest warrant stemming from an October incident in which he allegedly threatened to hurt the victim. An order of protection was also in place against him.
Officers were first called to a home on Chili Avenue near Thurston Road around 10:15 p.m. after receiving a report that a man was breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house and may have been armed. Police say officers located Davis at the side of the home, where he opened fire on them.
Chief Smith provided updates on the conditions of the injured officers and the shooting victim. One officer was released from Strong Memorial Hospital on Saturday. The other two officers remain hospitalized after undergoing multiple surgeries, with at least one additional surgery planned. One officer is listed in stable condition, while the other is stable but critical.
The names of the wounded officers were not released. Police say the two officers still in the hospital have each been with the Rochester Police Department for seven years. The officer who was released has served with the department for about a year and a half.
Two officers were shot near the Chili Avenue home. A third officer was shot later near Arnett Boulevard and Thurston Road, where police ultimately located and killed the suspect.
Police also detailed how the confrontation ended. Chief Smith said Davis fled the initial scene and was chased by officers to the intersection of Arnett Boulevard and Thurston Road. There, Davis allegedly pulled out his gun again and shot an officer. That officer, along with a fourth officer, returned fire, killing Davis.
The fourth officer, who has been with the department for six years, was not injured. In line with department policy, she has been placed on temporary administrative leave. Officers attempted lifesaving measures on Davis, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say Davis was carrying an illegal handgun. Police believe he fired at least four shots on Chili Avenue and three more on Thurston Road. During the exchange, the fourth officer avoided injury by taking cover behind a tree, which was struck by gunfire.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
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