The suspect involved in a trooper-involved shooting in the Town of Rochester has been identified as Benjamin Scism, 33, of Accord, N.Y. Scism remains in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center. He is facing charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the 4th degree and menacing in the 2nd degree, both class A misdemeanors.
Troopers Involved
The New York State Police troopers involved are assigned to Troop F:
Trooper Stephen A. Sawyer
Trooper Jeremy D. Pekoff
Trooper Ariel B. Grant
Incident Details
The incident occurred on February 16, 2026, at approximately 12:42 p.m., when troopers from the Ellenville barracks responded to reports of a man carrying a handgun while walking southbound on Queens Highway toward State Route 209.
Upon arrival, troopers located an individual matching the description provided by Ulster County 911. Multiple commands were issued for the subject to show his hands, but he refused to comply and displayed what appeared to be a handgun. Troopers then discharged their duty weapons, striking the individual.
Emergency medical services were immediately requested. Scism was transported from the scene by Kerhonkson-Accord Rescue Ambulance and later airlifted to Westchester Medical Center, where he remains in critical but stable condition.
Preliminary Investigation
The initial investigation indicates that the handgun Scism displayed was a pellet gun, not a firearm. The State Police continue to investigate the incident.
