NYSP, AG Probe Trooper Shooting Of Ulster Man With Knife: Update

UPDATE: The Troopers involved in the shooting death Friday in the town of Wawarsing have been identified as Trooper Elias E. Strickland and Trooper Jason T. Wurtz. Trooper Strickland deployed a taser during the incident and Trooper Wurtz fired his issued firearm. Both are assigned to Troop F, state police said.

WAWARSING, NY — The New York Attorney General's Office and the state police are investigating the death of an Ulster County man Friday who officers said threatened them with a knife.

State Police and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to assist the Ulster County Mobile Mental Health crisis team on Clark Road in Wawarsing.

When patrols arrived, they encountered a distraught man, later identified as 41-year-old Daniel K. McAlpin, who was inside the residence and armed with a large knife, state police said.

Police said the troopers attempted to engage McAlpin in conversation; however, he wouldn't talk and ignored repeated commands to drop the knife.

Police said that in an attempt to take McAlpin into custody, a trooper tased him. He advanced towards the officers while threatening them with the knife. A second trooper then shot him.

McAlpin was pronounced dead at the scene.

The New York State Attorney General’s Office investigation is mandated under Executive Law Section 70-b.