two Syracuse A police officer was shot and a third officer was injured Saturday afternoon in a shooting at the Pioneer House housing complex in Syracuse. New Yorkauthorities told local media. Police continued to exchange gunfire with the suspect in the period after the initial shooting, according to local reports.
An active standoff ensued between the suspected shooter and police and other law enforcement officials. WTEN reported that gunshots were heard from time to time in the surrounding area.
At a news conference, Sheriff Mark Roussin said the officers were in “stable condition.” Both men are likely to recover. A third police officer was injured in the chaos, but not by gunfire. Police did not explain the cause of the injuries.
Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens personally visited police at neighboring Upstate University Hospital. Owens said the recovering officers were in “good spirits” during a briefing with the police chief.
Roussin further updated that the suspect has now locked himself inside the apartment complex. (This is as of the time of reporting.)
Read more: Shooting at Pioneer House in Syracuse: First details on suspect after SWAT team deployed
The police responded closely and cordoned off the Pioneer House area
Dozens of law enforcement vehicles gathered at the scene Pioneer Home Police attempted to secure the scene. Witness videos circulating online showed heavily armed police forces entering the residential area. Residents in the area reported hearing multiple gunshots and were told to stay indoors.
Local media reported that authorities temporarily blocked roads around the residential area while tactical teams searched for the suspects.
Police also blocked off parts of Adams Street and Interstate 81. This will impact locals during Syracuse University graduation celebrations.
The Central Square School District’s senior prom was originally scheduled for Saturday night at Oncenter, but has been rescheduled due to the current situation in the community.
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what happened?
Rusin said the dangerous confrontation began when police received a complaint about a man threatening people and animals with a machete. The suspect apparently used the aforementioned machete to machete a dog. When police arrived, a person of interest began shooting at them as they searched the building.
They were shot through their apartment windows, Syracuse.com reported.
According to the media report, the two police officers who were shot were taken to Upstate Medical Hospital and are currently in stable condition.
A third officer was also injured but not shot and was transported to UMH, according to the complaint.
