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A man is in critical but stable condition after New York State Police shot him when he displayed what appeared to be a handgun during a confrontation in Ulster County on Monday.
The incident occurred around 12:42 p.m. when troopers from the Ellenville barracks responded to reports of a man holding what looked like a handgun while walking southbound on Queens Highway toward State Route 209 in the town of Rochester.
Upon arrival, officers located an individual matching the description provided to Ulster County 911. According to New York State Police, troopers issued multiple commands for the subject to show his hands, but he refused to comply and instead displayed what officers believed was a handgun.
Troopers then discharged their weapons, striking the man. Immediately following the shooting, officers rendered medical aid and called for emergency services. The wounded individual was transported from the scene by Kerhonkson-Accord Rescue Ambulance and later airlifted to Westchester Medical Center.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the weapon in the man's possession was actually a pellet gun, not a real firearm. The Daily Freeman reported that authorities have not disclosed how many times the individual was shot.
The identities of those involved in the incident have not been released, though state police indicated names would be provided in a future update.
NEWS10 reports that the man remains in critical but stable condition at Westchester Medical Center as the investigation continues.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the New York State Police SP Ellenville Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 845-344-5300.