POUGHKEEPSIE – A February 26, 2022 shooting in the Town of Fishkill is being examined by a Dutchess County grand jury. The shooting involved three Town of Fishkill police officers and two injured subjects. No officers were injured by gunfire.
Dutchess County Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Weishaupt has personally presented the evidence to the grand jury and 16 witnesses have testified before the jurors. “It has been the policy of this office to present all police-involved shootings to a grand jury to determine if the use of deadly physical force as defined in the Penal Law was justified. This involves members of the community in fact-finding and creates greater transparency and builds trust in the system,” the prosecutor said.
The February incident resulted in 29-year-old Michael Becerril being shot during a struggle with officers. Becceril was subsequently arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon (firearm) by the New York State Police as a result of the incident. The full account can be found here.
“In addition to the determination regarding the use of deadly force, the grand jury will determine what, if any, additional criminal charges there may be brought based on Mr. Becerril’s conduct,” Weishaupt added.
The grand jury has heard evidence and testimony regarding the incident on June 1, and continued on June 8, June 15, and June 22. Once the process is concluded the findings will be handed up to the Court and the DA’s office anticipates releasing its investigative report on the incident following the grand jury decision.
