MONTGOMERY – The man who was shot and killed by a state trooper early Thursday morning was a 41-year-old New York State resident, State Police Troop F Commander Major Pierce Gallagher said.
He said two troopers on patrol on Interstate 84 westbound near exit 5 in Montgomery came upon a disabled vehicle with the lone occupant walking on the highway at about 1:55 a.m.
One trooper got out of the police car and engaged the man in conversation while the other drove the vehicle beside them.
“A preliminary investigation shows the subject was not cooperative with the troopers and refused to comply with any commands and multiple times ignored the troopers and made furtive movements,” Gallagher said. “When the subject made a sudden movement to enter the moving troop car one member, the member outside the vehicle, fired his division-issued firearm and struck the subject.”
The man was rushed to Orange Regional Medical Center in the Town of Wallkill where he died.
No weapon was found on the man.
Gallagher said an autopsy would be performed. He did not rule out drugs or alcohol involvement.
State Police will conduct an administrative investigation into the shooting and also a criminal investigation along with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Maybrook and Coldenham fire departments assisted at the scene.
