New York State Police have identified the man involved in a trooper-involved shooting earlier this month in the town of Rochester as Benjamin Scism, 33, of Accord.
Scism remains in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center, according to State Police. He has been charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing, both Class A misdemeanors.
The shooting happened on February 16 at about 12:42 p.m., after State Police from the Ellenville barracks responded to a 911 report of a man walking along Queens Highway toward State Route 209 while holding what appeared to be a handgun.
According to State Police, troopers located a person matching the caller’s description and issued multiple commands for him to show his hands. Police say the individual did not comply and displayed what appeared to be a firearm, prompting troopers to discharge their weapons.
Scism was struck during the encounter. Troopers then provided medical aid at the scene before he was transported by the Kerhonkson-Accord Rescue Ambulance and later airlifted to Westchester Medical Center, where he remains hospitalized.
Investigators later determined the weapon in Scism’s possession was a pellet gun designed to resemble a .357 Magnum handgun.
Speaking on Radio Catskill’s Local Edition, reporter Chris Rowley said the incident took place along Queens Highway, describing it as an unexpected location for a police shooting.
Rowley said the pellet gun closely resembled a real firearm, which likely contributed to the troopers’ response.
“[It] looks just like a real .357 Magnum,” Rowley said.
Rowley also reported that troopers issued commands before opening fire, and that Scism did not comply. He said the individual raised the object toward officers, leading to the shooting.
Emergency responders credited troopers with providing immediate medical care after the shooting. According to Rowley, local emergency officials said the actions taken by State Police at the scene helped keep the man alive until he could be transported to the hospital.
Photo Credit: New York State Police