Around 2:30 a.m. last Saturday, a Sherrill police officer reported seeing a hooded person by a shed at a home on Thurston Terrace.

The officer claims he told the individual to stop, but instead the suspect kept walking and a foot chase began. The officer also claimed the suspect shot at him.

Resources from multiple agencies aided in the search, including a helicopter.

"Multiple members of the SWAT team responded [as well as] two armored vehicles, otherwise known as Bearcats," said Sheriff Robert Maciol. "Utica PD also [had] one bomb dog from the New York state Police."

Ultimately, a suspect wasn’t found. Interviews with eyewitnesses and other officers led to the conclusion part of the story of the hooded suspect could have been made up.

"The whole thing? I don't know, but the main points, the person, the foot chase, the shot fired, it didn't happen," Maciol said.

Spectrum News spoke with some of the people who live in the area. Some said it's a relief knowing the claims have not yet been substantiated.

"We want [residents] to know it [is a] safe neighborhood, and it still is a safe neighborhood," Maciol said.

Maciol said the officer was cooperative and stuck to his story during the interview process. Since then, we are told the officer has resigned.

The investigation has been turned over to the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office.