18-year-old charged with firing shots at police

Alexandra Weaver

[anvplayer video=”5084607″ station=”998131″]

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Rochester Police have charged an 18-year-old with firing shots at two officers who were in an unmarked car in what the chief called an unprovoked attack Wednesday night.

Kenneth Nixon is facing several charges:

  • 2 counts of Attempted Assault on a Police Officer with a Deadly Weapon
  • 2 counts of Reckless Endangerment, 1st degree
  • 2 counts of Menacing a Police Officer

Nixon is scheduled to be arraigned Friday morning.

The events all started just after 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the area of the 200 block of Glenwood Avenue. Police now say Nixon fired at the investigators, who were in their car. RPD says the officers were wearing clothing with the word "POLICE" in large, white letters across their chests.

Interim Police Chief David Smith says the investigators got out of the car, shot back and when Nixon ran off, they chased him and took him into custody.

The gun police recovered from the scene.[News10NBC]

No one was injured. Investigators did recover the gun, a .22 caliber rifle, along with evidence of shots fired.

"This incident is yet another example of the dangers that the brave men and women of the Rochester Police Department face on a daily basis," Smith said.

News10NBC has learned that Nixon was arrested in November of 2021, and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and fleeing police in a motor vehicle. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.

An internal investigation is underway.

Watch his full press conference in the video in the player below (mobile users, click here):

[anvplayer video=”5084484″ station=”998131″]