New York Cop Fatally Shoots Woman, Injures Another Before Taking Her Own Life

KEY POINTS

Officer Tiffani Gatson died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound
The two female victims were relatives and were living together
The shooting was the result of a domestic dispute

An off-duty police officer fatally shot a woman and wounded another before she turned the gun on herself in New York.

The incident took place Monday evening at a home in Rochester, according to a statement from New York Attorney General's Office.

Officer Tiffani Gatson, 29, shot Angely Solis and another woman before taking her own life. Gatson, who was with Greece Police Department, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, CBS News reported.

While Solis was pronounced dead at the scene, Gatson and the other woman were taken to a local hospital. The off-duty cop was declared dead on her way to the hospital. The unnamed third woman, believed to be in her 30s, suffered non-life-threatening injuries from multiple gunshots to her upper body. She is expected to recover from her injuries, reported NBC News.

Officers also recovered a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun from the scene. They said it wasn't Gatson's service weapon.

Lt. Greg Bello, from Rochester Police Department, said the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute. The officer, however, didn't provide any other details. He also confirmed there was "no danger to the public."

The two victims were relatives and lived in the same house, reported WHEC. Authorities were investigating their connection with Gatson.

Gatson started working with the Rochester Police Department in September 2018 and was recently assigned to the road patrol. In 2019, she became the first African American woman to join the Greece Police Department.

"Unfortunately, we have seen events of this nature occur all too frequently and struggle to find answers in the aftermath," Greece Police Chief Michael Wood said in a statement. "The effects are far-reaching, from those who have lost loved ones to others throughout law enforcement organizations when a police officer commits such a horrible act, to our entire community. It is simply devastating, and so many people are hurting right now."

The murder-suicide incident marked Rochester's 72nd homicide incident this year, according to Democrat and Chronicle.

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.