A New York state trooper was shot Friday morning during a traffic stop on Interstate 88 in Schenectady County, according to state police.
Authorities said the trooper was conducting a routine traffic stop on the highway in Duanesburg at around 11:11 a.m., when an occupant of the vehicle opened fire without exchanging words, striking the trooper in the left upper arm and shoulder area.
The trooper, identified as Richard Albert, was hospitalized in stable condition at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady and discharged, state police said.
Assigned to the Cobleskill Interstate Patrol, Albert stopped a silver SUV that was traveling east at more than 100 mph, police said. When Albert approached the vehicle, a passenger reached out of the driver-side window with a gun and fired at Albert, according to police.
As Albert returned fire, the driver of a passing tractor trailer assisted policed in what was a critical moment.
"He actually pulled into the car so that it couldn't take off," State Police Deputy Superintendent-Field Command Richard Allen said at a 4:30 p.m. news conference.
The shooter, Nelson Troche, 32, of Schenectady, fled into a wooded area, police said.
About 90 minutes later, Troche was located in the area of Darby Hill Road in Duanesburg with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was taken to Albany Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
"Every time we stop a car, go to a complaint, we know in the back of our minds this can happen," Allen said.
In a statement released Friday afternoon, New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association President Charles W. Murphy said the incident demonstrated the dangers that officers face. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Richard Albert, who was shot by a suspect during this incident, and we are thankful that he is expected to recover from his injuries," Murphy said.
An investigation is ongoing.