ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A suspect charged in an assault case in Rochester has been confirmed as the same man at the center of a mistaken identity arrest two years ago. That incident led to the firing and conviction of a now-former RPD officer. 

Christopher Pate, 43, is charged with assault.

Rochester police say he and Jennifer Shea, 43, hit and cut a man several times with a hammer and razor blade earlier this month.

According to investigators, the 57-year-old victim suffered several puncture wounds.

In 2018, Pate was seriously injured while being arrested by former officer Michael Sippel and his partner. They thought Pate was a burglary suspect. The arrest was caught on body cam.

Those charges against Pate were later dropped and Sippel was convicted of misdemeanor assault. Sippel is currently serving probation.

Pate filed a civil suit last year against the city and the officers involved in his arrest for punitive damages.

That suit is still pending.