The man who allegedly opened fire and killed a police officer and sheriff's lieutenant Sunday night in Salina used a Springfield AR-15 with a 40-round magazine, an amount that is prohibited in New York, Tom Newton, spokesperson for the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department, said on Tuesday.
It's not clear how Christopher R. Murphy, identified as the suspect in the shootings by authorities, obtained the gun.
Murphy, 33, of Salina, shot and killed Syracuse Police officer Michael Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff's Lt. Michael Hoosock outside Murphy's parents' home on Darien Drive after law enforcement converged there in response to a call for a suspicious vehicle being driven at speeds of more than 100 mph, according to Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile and county Sheriff Toby Shelley. Officers returned fire, killing Murphy, according to police.
The exchange of gunfire startled neighbors and shattered the silence of the Salina neighborhood.
Authorities questioned Shawn Kinsella, who they said tried to flee the scene of the shooting, he was not being held or charged. Newton said Tuesday that Kinsella was cooperating with the investigation.
Newton said members of the sheriff's department are focusing on caring for Hoosock's family and assisting them.
The body of Jensen was taken on Tuesday from Syracuse to Strong Burns & Sprock Funeral Home in Rome, his hometown, on Tuesday. Hundreds of cars followed in the procession.
From the North Court Street overpass near Canastota. The procession this morning for fallen Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen. @SPECNews1CNY pic.twitter.com/gOzdFH6k46
— Brian Dwyer (@BrianDwyerTV) April 16, 2024
Lt. Hoosock’s locker stands as a memorial to a great man, remembered by many here at the Moyers Corners fire department pic.twitter.com/FW1dMuK13B
— Vince Briga (@VinceBrigaTV) April 16, 2024