A tragic confrontation between Cheektowaga police officers and a suspect ended in a fatal shooting on August 13, 2024, at an apartment complex on Sanders Road in Buffalo. Officers had arrived to arrest a 60-year-old man in connection with an alleged assault that occurred two days earlier at the Fairfield Inn on Genesee Street. According to police reports, the incident began when the suspect became upset over additional credit card charges related to alleged damage to a hotel television.
The situation escalated dramatically when officers attempted to serve the arrest warrant. Body camera footage released by Cheektowaga Police shows officers repeatedly knocking on the apartment door and window before eventually breaking down the door. When they encountered the suspect in the doorway, video shows him allegedly swinging a knife at the officers, nearly striking one. An officer then fired three shots, fatally wounding the suspect. Despite life-saving efforts by responding officers, Buffalo Fire Department, and Buffalo Police personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The original hotel assault allegedly involved the suspect throwing objects at a hotel manager and punching a building superintendent, causing a brain bleed that left the victim in an induced coma. The New York State Attorney General's Office and Buffalo Police are conducting an ongoing investigation into the shooting incident. You can read more details about this incident in the original news report.
Common Causes of Police Shooting Incidents
Police-involved shootings often occur under complex and rapidly evolving circumstances. Understanding the common factors that contribute to these tragic events can help communities and families better comprehend what happened:
- Mental health crises - Individuals experiencing psychological distress may behave unpredictably during police encounters
- Weapon involvement - Situations involving knives, firearms, or other weapons significantly increase the risk of deadly force
- High-stress warrant services - Serving arrest warrants, especially for violent crimes, creates tense confrontations
- Communication breakdowns - Failure to de-escalate situations or misunderstanding commands can lead to tragic outcomes
- Inadequate training - Insufficient crisis intervention or de-escalation training may contribute to poor decision-making
- Environmental factors - Confined spaces, poor lighting, or chaotic scenes can affect officer and suspect behavior
- Previous criminal history - Suspects with violent backgrounds may be more likely to resist arrest aggressively
- Substance abuse - Drugs or alcohol can impair judgment and increase confrontational behavior
When law enforcement agencies, training facilities, or other entities fail to properly prepare officers for these situations, or when excessive force is used, victims and families may be entitled to seek legal compensation for their losses.
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims in Buffalo Police Incidents
Tragedies involving police shootings in the Buffalo and Western New York area can give rise to complex civil rights and wrongful death litigation. Families who lose loved ones in police encounters may have grounds for federal civil rights claims under Section 1983, as well as state wrongful death actions. These cases often involve detailed analysis of police training, departmental policies, use of force protocols, and whether officers followed proper procedures during the incident.
Potential liable parties in police shooting cases may include individual officers who used excessive force, police departments that failed to properly train or supervise their personnel, municipalities that implemented inadequate policies, and training academies that did not provide appropriate crisis intervention instruction. In cases where mental health issues were factors, healthcare providers or facilities that failed to provide adequate treatment might also bear responsibility.
Compensation in these cases can include medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost future earnings and benefits, pain and suffering endured by the victim, and the emotional trauma experienced by surviving family members. Our firm has successfully represented families in complex civil rights cases throughout New York State, though each case presents unique circumstances and no outcomes can be guaranteed.
Damages and Compensation in Police Shooting Cases
When pursuing legal action following a police shooting, understanding the types of damages available is crucial for families seeking justice and accountability. Economic damages typically include quantifiable financial losses such as medical bills incurred during treatment, funeral and burial expenses, lost wages and benefits the victim would have earned over their lifetime, and costs associated with mental health counseling for surviving family members.
Non-economic damages address the more intangible losses that cannot be easily calculated in dollars. These include the victim's pain and suffering before death, loss of companionship and guidance for spouses and children, emotional distress experienced by family members, and the loss of love, care, and protection the deceased would have provided. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available to punish wrongdoers and deter similar future behavior.
Compensation calculations in police shooting cases require extensive documentation and expert testimony regarding the victim's life expectancy, earning capacity, family relationships, and the circumstances of the incident. Evidence may include employment records, medical records, witness statements, body camera footage, training records, and expert analysis of police procedures. The purpose of compensation extends beyond financial restoration to hold responsible parties accountable and encourage better training and policies that could prevent future tragedies. For more information about our approach to these complex cases, you can contact our experienced legal team for a confidential consultation.
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The attorneys at Porter Law Group have decades of experience representing families in the most challenging civil rights and police misconduct cases throughout New York State. We understand the complexities involved in holding law enforcement accountable while respecting the difficult job police officers face every day. Our firm has secured some of the largest settlements and verdicts in courts across New York, and we bring both state-wide resources and a hometown approach to every case we handle.
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Call us today at 833-PORTER9 or email us at info@porterlawteam.com to schedule your free consultation. We serve clients throughout all of New York State and understand the urgency of preserving evidence and protecting your rights. Let us put our knowledge, resources, and dedication to work for your family while you focus on healing and moving forward. Time is critical in these cases, so please don't hesitate to reach out today.
