Trooper hurt, suspect dead after police shooting in Elmira

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WHEC/WETM) — At least one New York State Trooper is in the hospital, and a suspect is dead after a police shooting in Elmira, WETM reports.

State Police have confirmed that 53-year-old David Wandell, a parole absconder was shot and killed after pulling a gun on officers just before noon Friday.

After troopers confronted Wandell, they say he pulled a gun, and officers shot at him, before he ran off. Troopers say they found him again later, but he pulled a gun again.

It’s at that time that troopers say one of them shot and killed him.

"He brandished a weapon at the officers there and they shot the suspect," said BCI Capt. for Troop E Mich Szoczei. "He was located deceased at Woodlawn Cemetery at this time the state police will become the lead investigators."

The New York State Police tweeted that the trooper who was injured has non-life-threatening injuries after her leg was impaled by a metal fence while she was chasing after the suspect at the cemetery.

State Police, law enforcement, are still on the scene at Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira. We can confirm a Trooper was injured during a foot pursuit at the cemetery. The Trooper’s leg was impaled while trying to climb a metal fence. The injury is not considered life threatening.

— NewYorkStatePolice (@nyspolice) August 27, 2021

Officials say she’s now recovering after surgery.

State Police are working with the New York State Attorney General’s Office on the situation as well.