Recently released body camera footage provides fresh insights into a fatal incident at the State Police headquarters in the Capital Region, where an individual was recorded brandishing a firearm at officers. The escalating situation ended with the firearm-wielding man being fatally shot. The individual was later identified as David M. Levine, a 69-year-old resident of Malta.
The harrowing circumstances unfolded around 1:43 p.m. on April 9 when Levine made his way to the Saratoga Barracks in Malta and initiated a barrage of shots towards the structure. This information was confirmed by a representative from the State Police.
The body camera footage displayed two troopers exiting through a side door of the building as they became aware of the gunfire targeting their location. One trooper was heard discussing with the other, expressing uncertainty about strategically engaging with the assailant who was menacingly stationary at the front of the building.
According to the footage, Levine was situated in the parking lot of the building armed with a long gun. The responding troopers emerge from the barracks and relay crucial details to the 911 dispatch operators. This included the man’s distinctive red pickup truck, his attire of a gray shirt and black trousers, and his possession of a firearm.
One of the on-scene troopers noted that Levine appeared to be lying down, while the other was strategizing his next move, sharing that his course of action was to advance towards his patrol car. He is spotted taking strategic cover behind his duty vehicle.
Observing the escalating situation, the trooper moved to arm himself further. The footage unveiled the trooper unlocking his car trunk and acquiring a rifle he had stored there.
Approximately two minutes into the captured video, the trooper, armed with his rifle, is heard urging Levine to relinquish his gun. Despite the trooper’s firm command, Levine, now standing, rejected the officer’s instruction with the words, ‘no, shoot me.’
The officer retreated behind Levine’s truck for cover, continuing to plead with Levine to lay down his weapon and get on the ground. Levine repeatedly defied the commands, replying negatively on various occasions.
The footage shows a sobering moment in which Levine raises his weapon toward one of the troopers. Being faced with an apparent threat, one of the troopers acted in response, firing at Levine, which resulted in his fatal injury.
Directly after the shooting, officers are seen placing handcuffs on Levine and calling for medical aid, as documented by the body camera recording. Levine was subsequently transported to a nearby medical facility.
Despite being urgently transferred to the local hospital, Levine succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the facility. The outcome was a tragic ending to a situation that unfolded rapidly at the police barracks.
Immediately following the incident, the State Attorney General’s Office was notified and promptly arrived to survey the scene. This ensured that procedures following such an unfortunate event were being correctly adhered to.
According to the standing laws, the State Attorney General’s Office is mandated to embark on an investigation when death occurs at the hands of law enforcement officers. The office stands as an independent entity tasked to ensure transparency and accountability in these grave matters.
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