GOSHEN – Both an Orange County grand jury and District Attorney David Hoovler have concluded in separate investigations that the Montgomery Town Police officer who fire several rounds at a man before the suspect took his own life was warranted in taking that action since he was fired upon first.
The grand jury filed a “no bill,” ending its investigation and ensuring that no state criminal charges would be filed against the police officers involved.
On May 16, Anthony Bostick, who was believed to be suicidal, barricaded himself inside his home at 812 Abbey Avenue in the Village of Maybrook. The suspect had been involved in an altercation with his girlfriend.
Hoovler’s report indicated that officers, fearing that Bostick would kill himself, breached the apartment door and entered the residence. They were aware he had a prior criminal history.
Frame from police body cam video
Once inside, they found Bostick hiding in a bathroom at the end of a hallway. After he refused to come out and show officers his hands, Bostick pulled a semi-automatic pistol and fired one round toward three officers in the hall. After the exchange of gunfire had ended, about 10 seconds elapsed when officers heard a single muffled shot coming from the bathroom.
The bullet fired by Bostick struck Police Chief Arnold Amthor in the upper left shoulder.
A Town of Montgomery officer returned fire several times as the chief was removed from the area by other officers.
Officers left the apartment and established a containment perimeter around the house.
The entire incident from the time the officers entered the apartment until they left, was captured on a body camera worn by the officer who returned fire.
Police sent in a robot six hours later to determine there was no threat inside. Bostick was found dead, apparently from a single gunshot wound to the head. A loaded and operable semi-automatic pistol was recovered near his body.
An autopsy conducted by the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded Bostick had died of a single self-inflicted gunshot to his left temple. He was left-handed. Toxicology results indicated he had smoked marijuana recently.
DA Hoovler said after reviewing all of the facts and circumstances involving the police shooting, including interviews of witnesses and police officers, and a review of the available evidence, it is his conclusion that the police officers’ actions in this case were justified under state penal law.
The incident may be separately reviewed by the Town of Montgomery to determine whether departmental policies were adhered to.
