Two fatal police shootings over the past 48 hours have rattled the Saratoga County town of Malta.
State Police and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating this morning’s incident at the Ellsworth Commons Apartments complex on Route 9.
A briefing was held at State Police headquarters in Wilton, where Troop G Commander Major Christopher Gilroy said troopers and deputies responded to a reported physical domestic dispute occurring at the apartment complex around 9 a.m.
The suspect, identified as Brandon R. Moore, reportedly refused to cooperate with police and barricaded himself in an apartment. Gilroy said police attempted to negotiate with Moore before he emerged from the apartment with a weapon.
“At approximately 10:37 a.m. while law enforcement personnel were attempting negotiations, Mr. Moore exited the apartment with what appeared to be a handgun. Law enforcement officers instructed Mr. Moore to drop the firearm. Mr. Moore refused to follow the multiple commands and aimed the weapon at state police members and deputies. At that time the troopers and deputies fire their department issued firearms, fatally striking him. Two troopers sustained minor injuries during the incident. Investigators have examined the weapon displayed by Mr. Moore and determined that the weapon is a CO2 powered BB pistol,” said Gilroy.
Responding officers were made aware that Moore may have had access to guns in the apartment, though Gilroy did not clarify if any other weapons were recovered.
One building at the complex was evacuated after the incident. A sprinkler system was activated and the building was described as currently uninhabitable.
It was the second shooting in as many days. Less than a mile away, David Levine was shot Wednesday outside of the New York State Police barracks near the intersection of State Routes 9 and 67.
Levine reportedly fired a hunting rifle multiple times at the building. He was killed by troopers who exited the building.
Malta town supervisor Cynthia Young asks residents to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of one another.
“It’s unbelievable to me that two days in a row law enforcement has, particularly the New York state Police have suffered such egregious acts and they still remain strong. They certainly are heroes to the community. It’s moments like these that are reminded of the strength and resilience of our town and we will get through this together as neighbors, as friends, and as a community,” said Young.
Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public in either incident.