Man shot and killed by Rochester Police

Posted at: 06/21/2012 7:51 AM | Updated at: 06/21/2012 6:49 PM
By: Ray Levato | WHEC.com

Rochester Police shot and killed a 20-year-old city man after the police chief says the man fired at officers. This happened early Thursday morning on Locust Street after police say the man stabbed his mother. 

Police say the man called 911 and said he had stabbed his mother and was going outside to shoot people. 

Police Chief James Sheppard says the officers were confronted with deadly physical force and they responded with deadly physical force after he fired one round from a shotgun. 

Police identified the man as Israel Andino. Friends call him “Izzy”. 

Just minutes earlier, they found the man’s mother bleeding on the front porch. The chief says officers tried to engage the man as they ordered him to drop the weapon. That’s when he opened fire. Seven officers fired back. 

Rudolph Redding, witness, said, “I watched everything because there are kids out here. I didn't even know if he had a real gun or not but I know it made me afraid.   

Chris Ward, witness, said, “It happened right in front of my house, I mean, I never thought I would see something like that. This is in the movies but to see an actual life be taken like that especially someone you know. I say hi to him all the time.”

Stuart Smith, witness, said, “It's senseless, it could have gone a different way.”

Chief James Sheppard said, “During the officers’ initial engagement with this man they attempted to deploy a less lethal option, a taser. This option was ineffective and their subsequent actions were unavoidable, however, was consistent with their training.”

Mayor Tom Richards said, “Even though I wasn't there, there's something I think we have to keep in mind. And that is, as the mayor of this city, if police officers are fired on with deadly force I expect them to defend themselves.”

Chief Sheppard identified the mother as Carmen Baez who lives on Locust Street. No age was given for her. She was treated for multiple cuts, but the chief says she has non-life threatening injuries. He said the stab wounds to her head did not penetrate her skull. Chief Sheppard confirmed that Thursday was Carmen’s son’s 20^th birthday. 

At the news conference, Police Chief Sheppard named the seven officers involved and listed their years of service one by one. All are department veterans. 

Police can not confirm if Andino had any medical condition. He was on probation and had an arrest record.

To read the Rochester Police Department's press release about the shooting, click here.

 

 

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