Syracuse Police have identified the two officers involved in the police shooting that left suspect dead early Friday morning.
Police said Monday that the officers are Sgt. Jason Wells and Officer Kenneth Sheehan. Sgt. Wells was hired in 2009 and Sheehan was hired in 2014. Both serve within the patrol division.
Chief Kenton Buckner says officers were called to the Sunoco Gas Station on North State Street just before 12:45 a.m. Friday, where they found 33-year-old Steven D. Smith with a weapon.
Buckner said there were attempts by officers to de-escalate the situation before an exchange of gunfire.
Investigators say two officers and Smith all fired multiple shots and Smith died at the scene.
The two officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
Buckner says there were multiple officers with body cameras at the scene.
"At the appropriate time, we will release the body camera footage. Obviously we have this investigation and we have to turn it over to the district attorney's office. We don't want to jump in front of them an jeopardize the integrity of their process," said Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner at a press conference Friday.
Supporters of the People's Agenda for Policing have responded to the shooting.
The group of protestors is fighting against excessive force by police in Syracuse and asked the State Attorney General's office to investigate, saying in part, "We ask for the Attorney General’s Office to take this step because of our belief that the SPD cannot be trusted to conduct transparent and impartial investigations into officer conduct."
Chief Buckner said following the conclusion of an internal investigation by the department, the case will be turned over to the district attorney's office for review.