UPDATE: State Police are releasing the name of the Trooper who was involved in the shooting incident earlier today in Sullivan County. Trooper Russell T. Peters, from Troop F, has been a State Police member since September of 2021.
The investigation is ongoing.
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On July 16, 2024, at approximately 2:20 a.m., New York State Police were involved in a vehicle pursuit on Rock Hill Drive in the Sullivan County town of Thompson. The driver of the vehicle, Albert Melendez, 32, of Middletown, NY, stopped and attempted to turn around at the intersection of Rock Hill Drive and Emerald Place. A Trooper exited his patrol vehicle and gave verbal commands for the Melendez to stop his vehicle. The vehicle continued forward and made contact with the Trooper who subsequently discharged his duty weapon striking Melendez. Troopers provided emergency medical care to Melendez, who was transported to Garnet Health Medical Center, where he died.
The Trooper involved in the incident was treated at Garnet Health Medical Center for minor injuries and released.
This incident remains under investigation.
