Three Rochester police officers were wounded Friday night after police said a suspect opened fire at close range while they responded to a domestic call on the city’s west side. The Rochester police officers shot in the encounter were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital, and authorities said the suspect was killed after fleeing and confronting officers again a short time later.
Police said emergency services received a call around 10:15 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, from a man reporting that his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend was trying to break into her home and might have a gun. The caller also told dispatchers he had a legal permit for a firearm and was carrying a pistol.
When officers arrived, they found the suspect along the side of the house, police said. Rochester Police Chief David Smith said the suspect pulled out a handgun and immediately fired multiple shots from close range toward officers and the victim.
Two officers were struck during the initial volley, according to authorities. Chief Smith said the shooting happened “without warning,” and officers returned fire as the scene rapidly escalated.
Gunfire spreads across multiple blocks
After the first shots, additional gunfire erupted, including an exchange between the suspect and the man who had called 911, police said. Authorities said the caller was shot multiple times during the confrontation.
The suspect then fled the area, prompting a search that moved beyond the immediate scene on Chili Avenue. Within minutes, another officer located the suspect near the area of Arnett Boulevard and Thurston Road, authorities said.
Police said the suspect opened fire again, shooting that third officer. Officers at the scene returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times and killing him, according to police.
Australia’s social media ban for under-16s takes effect
Condition of the wounded officers and the civilian caller
All three officers were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment. As of Saturday afternoon, December 20, police said one officer had been discharged, while the other two remained hospitalized with serious injuries.
Police said the officer who was discharged had been shot multiple times during the initial encounter but was protected from life-threatening injury by a ballistic vest. Another officer was shot in the upper body, rushed into surgery, and remained hospitalized with serious injuries. The third officer was shot in the upper body during the later confrontation near Arnett Boulevard and Thurston Road and also remained hospitalized with serious injuries.
The civilian caller was shot multiple times and was listed in serious but non-life-threatening condition, authorities said.
Police have not released the identities of the officers, the civilian, or the suspect.
Investigation and next steps
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing. Police said multiple agencies are involved, including the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and the Rochester Police Department’s Professional Standards Section.
Chief Smith said body-worn camera video would be released, but officials did not provide a specific timeline.
Police urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact authorities, while emphasizing the incident appeared tied to the domestic situation described in the original 911 call.
Officials react as the community absorbs the news
Mayor Malik Evans and other local leaders praised officers and first responders who responded to the shooting and rendered aid to the wounded. Evans also pointed to domestic violence as a recurring public safety issue, saying situations involving people who know each other can quickly turn dangerous.
Chief Smith said the call underscored the unpredictable risks officers face on routine responses, particularly domestic-related calls where emotions are high and information can change within seconds.
Nearby residents described a chaotic scene, with rapid gunfire and a large police response as officers converged on multiple locations during the search and final confrontation.
Sources:
WXXI News – “Three Rochester police officers shot; suspect killed”
