A 15-year-old is facing reckless endangerment and grand larceny charges after Rochester police say he drove toward one of its officers in a stolen vehicle, causing the officer to open fire.
Police say it all started around 4:30 p.m. Thursday when officers spotted a reported stolen car on Essex Street. They tried to pull it over but the driver took off.
The car was seen again in a parking lot on West Broad and Jay Streets. When officers got to the car they say the teen drove toward one of them.
Officer Marc Sutton fired five rounds, hitting the car and the driver in the leg.
"It's hard to tell and determine whether the shots stopped the vehicle, but obviously the officer felt fear of his life when the individual tried to maneuver the vehicle towards the officers so thus the officer fired his shots," said Deputy Chief La'Ron Singletary.
Police collected surveillance video from nearby businesses, including the Corner Mini Market. Owner Marco Reus's system captured the shooting from two angles.
"I just hear a shot outside. I was wondering what was going on," Reus said. "My friend, he was in the back (of the store.) So I'm like, let's check what's going on outside. So when I go to the door, the police shot somebody inside a car. They pulled him over."
Musaid Salem was behind the wheel of a vehicle in a parking lot right next to the stolen Toyota Camry police surrounded. Video taken from inside his car captured the gunfire from the police officer.
"I mean, the copy was within his right," Salem said. "He (the driver) was going to hit him."
The suspect has not been identified. He was taken to the hospital for treatment and released to police. He was arraigned in family court and is being held in custody for now.
Officer Sutton remains on administrative leave.