Albany Police say officer shot following traffic stop, suspect dead

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — An Albany police officer is recovering and a suspect died early Wednesday morning in Albany. Police Chief Eric Hawkins says the officer was “ambushed” after a short chase and traffic stop.

According to Albany Police, at around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday in the area of North Main Avenue and Western Avenue the shootout occurred following a traffic stop.

In a press conference, Chief Hawkins said the officer tried pulling the car over after it sped by at a high rate of speed. The driver refused to stop and a chase ensued.

A short time later, the officer found the car parked on the road, at the time it was unknown if the car was occupied. Chief Hawkins says unbeknownst to the officer, the suspect was out of the car.

Hawkins said the suspect started firing at the officer, describing the act as “an ambush.” The two then exchanged gunfire. The officer is still being treated for injuries and the suspect has died.

A follow-up press conference is slated for later Wednesday.