Update: In a joint statement, the Onondaga County Sheriff and Syracuse Police Chief have announced the identities of their deceased officers:
- Lieutenant Michael Hoosock from the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office
- Officer Michael Jensen from the Syracuse Police Department
The Onondaga County District Attorney has verified the identity of the shooter responsible for Sunday night’s tragic killing of two law enforcement officers.
Christopher R. Murphy, aged 33, from Salina, was identified by William Fitzpatrick. The incident began with a traffic stop around 7 p.m. in Syracuse’s Tipp Hill neighborhood, as stated by Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile on Sunday.
Despite attempts by Syracuse police to pull over a car, the driver refused and fled at high speed. Subsequently, the police obtained the vehicle’s plate number, which led them to a residence at 4945 Darien Drive in Salina.
The shooting incident unfolded at that location, with gunfire erupting in the residential area as both officers and the suspect exchanged fire.
All parties involved, including the two officers and the suspect, sustained gunshot wounds.
Additionally, the suspect was fatally wounded, according to Cecile. Sheriff Toby Shelley reassured the community on Sunday night that the residence had been secured, alleviating any potential threat to the neighborhood.
Murphy, residing at 4945 Darien Drive in Salina, was charged with driving while intoxicated by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office on March 2, 2014.
Additionally, Murphy faced charges of resisting arrest and failure to keep right.
County records list Joseph and Lucille Murphy as the property owners at 4945 Darien Drive, having purchased the house in 2002 for $134,500.
Christopher Murphy is also registered as a resident at that address, as indicated by county voting records.
On Sunday, April 14th, 2024, at about 7:07 p.m., Syracuse Police Officers encountered a suspicious vehicle in the area of Emerson Avenue and Hamilton Street. Police officers attempted to stop the vehicle, however, the driver refused to stop and fled the area. The officers lost sight of the vehicle but were able to record the license plate information.
Officers checked the vehicle registration and determined the registered owner resides on Darien Drive, in Liverpool, New York.
Syracuse Police responded to the address, along with members of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle was found to be parked at a residence on Darien Drive.
Shortly after arrival, the police officers and sheriff’s deputies were encountered by an armed male and an exchange of gunfire followed.
One Syracuse Police Officer and one Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy were struck by gunfire. The armed suspect was also shot.
Both law enforcement officers were transported to Upstate University Hospital where life saving measures were conducted. The Syracuse Police Officer and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy succumbed to their injuries.
The suspect was also transported to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, as well as with their brothers and sisters in law enforcement who are suffering in the wake of this tragedy.
