Amherst Police Release Body Cam Footage of Knife Incident

BREAKING: Amherst police have urgently released body camera footage following a shooting incident involving a woman armed with a knife last week. The Erie County district attorney has confirmed that the officers’ use of force was justified in this alarming encounter.

On October 28, 2023, officers responded to a menacing complaint at an apartment complex on Durham Drive. There, they encountered Tonisha Green, a 26-year-old resident of Amherst, who was outside her apartment wielding a knife. This tense standoff lasted for several hours as Green ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon.

Ultimately, the situation escalated when an officer fired shots, wounding Green and effectively ending the confrontation. Officers immediately rendered first aid to her and recovered the knife, as detailed in a statement from the DA’s office.

“Officers try to do their best to de-escalate these situations and unfortunately, it didn’t work in this case,”

said Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane. Green now faces serious charges, including four counts of menacing a police officer and one count of second-degree menacing.

Currently, Green is hospitalized at Erie County Medical Center, where her condition remains undisclosed. The incident has raised significant concerns about police engagement in crisis situations, especially regarding the use of lethal force.

As of now, authorities have indicated that the state attorney general’s office will only investigate deaths resulting from police actions, which adds another layer of scrutiny to this ongoing situation. Community reactions are likely to intensify as more details emerge.

This incident highlights the critical challenges faced by law enforcement during high-stress encounters and the imperative need for effective de-escalation tactics. Citizens are urged to stay informed as further updates develop.

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