Body-worn camera footage shows struggle between Rochester Police officer and suspect, who was shot

One person was hospitalized Monday night after he was shot during a fight with a police officer, according to the Rochester Police Department.

According to police, officers were called to the 100 block of Seventh Street around 9:45 p.m. for a ShotSpotter activation. Evidence was found that there were shots fired in the area. They saw a pickup truck with its lights off leaving the scene.

When officers tried to stop the truck, they said it fled. Police gave chase until the truck crashed into a pole on Hemple Street near First Street.

Investigators said a 26-year-old man ran from the vehicle. Police chased him the length of several houses when he ran into a backyard.

RPD said the officer found the man and tried to take him into custody, but the man fought the officer. The officer unsuccessfully attempted to use his taser. Police confirmed the officer fired a shot from his gun.

The suspect was hit at least once in the upper body and is currently being treated at Strong Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The officer was taken to a nearby hospital for trauma to his upper body, but he was released.

At the scene of the altercation between the man and the officer, investigators uncovered evidence such as a loaded handgun, a significant amount of suspected narcotics, and multiple pieces of the officer’s equipment and uniform. Police also uncovered a firearm from the vehicle that crashed on Hempel Street.

According to police, the suspect had a prior conviction in 2019 for illegally possessing a handgun and has an active warrant for allegedly fleeing from officers in a vehicle.