Rochester Police say that one of their investigators fired a shotgun Wednesday morning while in the process of executing a search warrant. The warrant authorized a search of a building at 77 Rustic Street on the northeast side for unstamped and untaxed cigarettes as well as narcotics.
Police say one of the members of the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team fired a shotgun at a resident there when that person pointed a weapon at an officer.
The officer fired his shotgun three times. All shots missed the suspect, identified as 56 year old Robert Herrington of that address. No one was injured by the gunfire. Herrington got a scratch to his forehead.
Police say an unloaded shotgun was recovered at the scene.
Herrington has been charged with menacing of a police officer, which is a felony and possession of untaxed cigarettes for sale, which is a misdemeanor.
As with any incident like this, RPD is conducting both a criminal and internal investigation into what happened. In accordance with standard policy, the investigator will be on administrative duty pending results of the investigation.
