Details Emerge About Robberies and Con­frontation With Police Officer Which Ended in Shooting

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Shaun Zimmer was wheeled into court Friday, one day after he was shot on Lyell Avenue in Rochester by a Gates police officer, who Zimmer allegedly attacked with a knife after he was confronted.

Zimmer is charged with attempted aggravated murder of a police officer, several robberies and grand larceny. Zimmer was brought in in a wheelchair to face the judge, and was wearing a brown jail jumpsuit.

Police in Gates had been looking for Zimmer for days in connection to several armed robberies at convenience stores.  They turned to the public, sharing surveillance videos of the robberies with the media and hoping someone would recognize him and call 911. Even after the images were made public, the robberies continued.

On Thursday, investigators got a tip to check out a house on Lyell Ave.  When they arrived, Gates Officer Patrick Ellison and a lieutenant spotted Zimmer sitting in a car.

According to the police report, Ellison, who was wearing his uniform, was charged at by Zimmer, who had a large butcher knife and was trying to stab Ellison in the chest.  Ellison was cut in the arm.  Police said Ellison then shot Zimmer several times in the legs.

Zimmer's capture ended what police say was a string of armed robberies around Gates, Rochester and Irondequoit.

We're also hearing from the store clerks and bank teller what it was like being robbed. One said Zimmer threatened him with a knife, telling him to give him the money from the drawer and that he wouldn't hurt him. Another worker said Zimmer robbed his convenience store with another man, who also stole his phone and his car.

The bank teller says Zimmer handed her a note and said he had a gun. The teller says she gave Zimmer money with a dye pack and he ran out the door. Investigators say they later found that exploded dye pack and red stained money in the car Zimmer was in on Lyell Ave.

Police said Zimmer was able to steal hundreds of dollars, and more charges from other robberies are expected. Gates Police Chief Jim VanBrederode says Zimmer was desperate and he's thankful more people weren't hurt.

As for Ellison, the police officer received several stitches, but is doing okay.

Zimmer is expected back in court next week, after meeting with an attorney. He's being held without bail.