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Rochester police killed a man who fired at officers in bloody shootout, officials said
By
Ryan Kost
Published Dec 20, 2025
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Omar Zaghloul/Anadolu via Getty Images
By
Ryan Kost
Published Dec 20, 2025
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Rochester police shot and killed a man late Friday night after he fired on officers responding to a domestic dispute on the city’s west side, police said.
Just after 10:15 p.m., police arrived at a home on the 600 block of Chard Avenue after receiving reports from a man that his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend was trying to break into the house and may be armed, Rochester Police Chief David Smith said during a press conference shared by the local ABC affiliate.
The man “ immediately pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots from close range towards the officers and the victim striking two officers,” Smith said. Officers sustained serious injuries in the exchange but all are expected to survive. Gunfire was also exchanged between the suspect and the man who called 911 and who told police he was a permitted pistol owner, Smith said. The caller was shot multiple times.
The suspect fled but was located minutes later at a nearby intersection. An officer ordered the man to stop, Smith said, but the man opened fire again, striking a third officer. Police then returned fire, killing the suspect.
One officer was in stable condition, Smith said. A second underwent surgery and was listed in critical but stable condition. The third officer suffered serious injuries, Smith added, but was in stable condition. The civilian was in serious but not life-threatening condition.
Smith said body-worn camera footage will be released once investigators determine it is appropriate. The identities of the officers and the suspect have not yet been released.
“This is always our biggest nightmare this time of year, these type of incidents when they happen,” Rochester Mayor Malik Evans told ABC News. “Right now I ask everybody to pray for these officers as they go through this.”
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Tagged
new york
public safety
Ryan Kost
Ryan Kost is a reporter on the day-of news desk, where he covers breaking news and writes enterprise stories about jails, courts, prosecutors and government accountability. His work focuses on the public institutions that shape life in New York. Before joining the newsroom, he lead a multi-part investigation with Columbia Journalism Investigations and New York Focus into how New York prosecutors handle wrongful conviction claims. He's also been a staff writer at The San Francisco Chronicle, The Associated Press and The Oregonian. Got a tip? Signal: ryankost.20
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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