A New York police officer needed to open fire to stop a suspect who was allegedly pistol-whipping a man earlier this month, shooting the assailant in the chest.
The incident happened at around 7 p.m. Aug. 14 when Rochester police conducting a stolen vehicle investigation, WHAM-TV reports. That's when two men rushed out of neighborhood backyards, with one of the individuals—later identified as Lavar McKnight, 48—shooting the other during a foot chase.
Police pursued the two as they headed into a backyard, where McKnight had begun pistol-whipping the other man. When McKnight ignored commands to stop and surrender, an officer opened fire.
McKnight was struck in the torso, and the gunshot wound stopped his assault on the man. McKnight was taken into custody and rushed to the hospital.
The victim had been shot in the jaw, and he also was taken to the hospital with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening.
A loaded handgun next to McKnight was recovered at the scene. A grand jury is considering charges against McKnight, who already faces multiple weapons charges.
The shooting is under investigation.
