Body-worn camera footage shows a Rochester police officer had barely approached a pedestrian on Lake Avenue when the man turned and fired a gun at the officer, striking him once in the leg.
The shooting happened around 1 a.m. on March 20. As the officer ran to seek cover, the man charged him and fired two more shots in his direction before turning and fleeing the other way. The body-worn camera footage shows the fraught aftermath of the shooting: The officer, who has not been identified, applied his own tourniquet, radioed for help, provided a description of the suspect and was transported to Rochester General Hospital by other officers who responded to his call within minutes.
He was released the next day and is recovering at home.
Police said a drone unit located the alleged shooter, Shatique Cato, in a pile of brush behind a building in the 700 block of Lake Avenue several hours later. They said Cato fatally shot himself after police used a spotlight to illuminate the area where he was hiding.
RPD Chief David Smith said the officer had stepped out of his cruiser to talk to the man about another recent city shooting. The department did not release drone footage when it published body-worn camera and surveillance video March 26.
The Lake Avenue incident marked the fourth police shooting in as many months. Three officers were shot and injured in December while responding to a domestic violence call in the 19th Ward.
— Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
— Kayla Canne covers community safety for the Democrat and Chronicle with a focus on immigration, police accountability, government surveillance and how people are impacted by violence. Follow her on Instagram @bykaylacanne. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Body‑worn camera video shows officer shot on Lake Ave
Reporting by Kayla Canne, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
