Police shoot suspect

Courtesy of Rob Bennett

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An investigation is underway after a suspect was shot by an officer during the course of a vehicle pursuit.

Around 6:30 PM, a Niagara Falls police officer attempted to stop a Nissan Murano near 18th Street and Pine Avenue. The driver failed to yield and led officers on a pursuit. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle was damaged as a result of the male's driving.

Towards the conclusion of the pursuit, the vehicle was travelling on the I-190 South and took exit 22 (Niagara Falls Blvd) along Connecting Road. The vehicle appears to have turned into the parking lot of a business and officers reported that they thought the pursuit was going to end due to the damage of the vehicle. Officers exited their their vehicles and started giving commands to the male. He reportedly refused to follow any commands and continued his attempt to flee in the vehicle. He reportedly drove towards officers, resulting in an officer discharging his service weapon. One officer reported, "shots fired! He tried hitting us with his vehicle."

Following the gunfire, the male was taken into custody and it was determined that suspect had been wounded. Niagara Falls Fire and AMR were requested to the scene and officers began rendering first-aid to the male. The male was transported to ECMC by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. He is expected to survive.

The Niagara Falls Police Criminal Division and the Office of Professionals responded to the scene to investigate the incident. The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.