Gunfire on the streets of Saratoga Springs early Sunday morning left at least three people wounded, including an off-duty sheriff’s deputy from Vermont who was shot multiple times by police.
An off-duty Vermont sheriff's deputy was shot by police in upstate New York on Sunday after he exchanged fire with a group of men.
The shooting, which happened at around 3 a.m. on Sunday, came after Saratoga Springs Police responded to another shooting.
The deputy was shot by police multiple times, after he ignored commands from the officers to drop his firearm, according to police and the mayor.
The gunfire broke out at 3 a.m. in the historic downtown of the small city, known for its thoroughbred horse racing, fine restaurants and cultural attractions.
Video from a street camera appeared to show a group of people fighting on the sidewalk, then scattering as shots were fired.
Two men were shooting at each other as police arrived, including a deputy from the Rutland County Sheriff's Office, according to Saratoga Springs Police Sgt. Paul Veitch.
Body camera video released by the city showed officers running toward the sound of the gunshots with their pistols drawn, one screaming “drop the gun!”
When the sheriff's deputy, who was not in uniform, didn't drop his weapon, Saratoga Springs officers opened fire, according Commissioner of Public Safety James Montagnino.
The deputy, who was not immediately identified, suffered 10 bullet wounds, including one to the chest, but was conscious and was expected to survive, the Times-Union reported.
His girlfriend's arm was grazed by a bullet.
"By my count, there are at least eight separate, clear, unequivocal commands to put the gun down and get on the ground," Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner James Montagnino said at a press conference. "They are all ignored.
The shooting beforehand involving the deputy and the group of men left two people injured. That shooting was sparked by an argument. A woman believed to be the deputy’s girlfriend suffered a graze wound and a man involved in the altercation was also injured.
Three people had allegedly slammed the deputy into a parked vehicle before then pushing him to the ground. The deputy then pulled out a gun and exchanged gunfire with a member of the group who also had a firearm.
The deputy had gotten into a barroom argument with a group of three people from Utica. After the fight spilled onto the street, the deputy showed his weapon and the Utica man drew his, which was when gunfire broke out. Seven to eight shots were fired between the two, and the deputy shot the Utica man.
All three gunshot victims were in stable condition at a hospital. Authorities didn’t identify them. The Saratoga Springs officers who fired weapons have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation “to find out if any policies or protocols were violated,” Saratoga Springs Police Sgt. Paul Veitch said. That investigation is set to be conducted by the Saratoga Springs Police Department, he said.
Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim denounced the shooting saying: “Nobody should be on Caroline Street at 3 o’clock in the morning drinking that has a weapon. End of story.”
No arrests have been made in the case and New York State Police are investigating the shooting.
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