The New York Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation into the officer-involved shooting last week in Chemung.
The Office of Special Investigation launched the investigation following the death of 18-year-old Nathan Novakowski, who was killed after a domestic incident turned violent on Sunday, Sept. 28.
According to the New York State Police, a Chemung County Sheriff’s Deputy and state trooper responded to a report of a physical domestic incident on Rotary Road in Chemung at around 2:58 p.m. on Sunday.
A trooper observed the suspect, Novakowski, threatening a female victim with a pair of scissors.
The trooper issued several commands for Novakowski to drop the weapon, but the suspect allegedly became increasingly agitated and attempted to stab the victim. The trooper discharged his firearm in an attempt to prevent imminent harm to the victim.
The suspect was killed in the incident.
The victim sustained minor injuries and was treated by medical personnel at the scene.
Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.
