Photo: Ajax9 / iStock / Getty Images
A 33-year-old man remains in critical condition after being shot by New York State Police troopers when he refused to drop what appeared to be a handgun but was later determined to be a pellet gun.
Benjamin Scism of Accord was shot on Monday (February 16) after troopers responded to reports of a man walking with a weapon along Queens Highway toward State Route 209 in the Town of Rochester, Ulster County. The incident occurred at approximately 12:42 p.m., according to the New York State Police.
Authorities say when troopers from the Ellenville barracks arrived at the scene, they located Scism, who matched the description provided by Ulster County 911 dispatchers. Despite multiple commands to show his hands, Scism allegedly refused to comply and displayed what officers believed was a handgun. The troopers then discharged their weapons, striking him.
"Troopers immediately rendered medical aid and requested EMS," state police officials reported. Scism was transported by Kerhonkson-Accord Rescue Ambulance and later airlifted to Westchester Medical Center, where he remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
The three troopers involved in the shooting have been identified as Trooper Stephen A. Sawyer, Trooper Jeremy D. Pekoff, and Trooper Ariel B. Grant, all assigned to Troop F.
Despite being hospitalized, Scism has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree and menacing in the second degree, both class A misdemeanors.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the New York State Police SP Ellenville Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 845-344-5300.