State Police Troopers Shoot Man Carrying Pellet Gun in Ulster County; Suspect Identified, Charged

Three members of the New York State Police shot and critically wounded a man Monday after authorities say he displayed what appeared to be a handgun while walking along a highway in the Town of Rochester.

Troopers from State Police Ellenville responded at about 12:42 p.m. to a 911 report of a man holding a handgun while walking south on Queens Highway toward State Route 209. The call was made to Ulster County 911, authorities said.

When troopers arrived, they saw a man matching the caller’s description. Police said troopers issued multiple commands for him to show his hands, but he refused and then displayed what appeared to be a handgun. Troopers fired their duty weapons, striking him.

Police immediately provided medical aid and called for emergency responders. The man was taken from the scene by Kerhonkson-Accord Rescue Ambulance and later airlifted to Westchester Medical Center, where he remained in critical but stable condition.

Authorities later determined the weapon was a pellet gun.

The man was identified as Benjamin Scism, 33, of Accord, New York. He is charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing, both Class A misdemeanors.

The troopers involved — Stephen A. Sawyer, Jeremy D. Pekoff and Ariel B. Grant — are assigned to New York State Police Troop F.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Ellenville at 845-344-5300.

Image Credit: New York State Police