New York Police Officer Fatally Shot With His Own Weapon After Suspect Grabs Gun

A law enforcement official in upstate New York was shot and killed on Monday, according to reports from Johnson City.

Binghamton Police Chief Joseph Zikuski told the Associated Press that 43-year-old patrolman David Smith, who worked with the Johnson City Police Department for more than 18 years, was fatally hit in the line of duty.

According to a report by CNY, Smith was shot with his own service weapon, after 43-year-old MRI technician James Clarke wrestled with him outside Southern Tier Imaging on Harrison.

Zikuski said during a press conference on Monday that police officers were sent to the location at about 7:03 a.m., with reports of an employee acting in an "incoherent" way. The worker was reportedly talking about a bomb in the building.

When Smith arrived at the scene, he was attacked by Clarke as he was trying to get out of his patrol vehicle. Clarke managed to grab the weapon out of Smith's possession, then shot him.

Chief Zikuski told reporters that Smith "did not stand a chance" against the bullet, fired at close range.

A second officer who came to the site of the incident promptly fired at Clarke, who was almost instantaneously taken down. Law enforcement officials transferred Clarke to Wilson Memorial Hospital, where he underwent surgery. He was pronounced dead at around 10:20 a.m.

Investigators went to Clarke's home in Greene to inspect the house and speak with family members. CNY reported that his co-workers, friends and kin were shocked by what happened, and said he was "perfectly normal" when he left the house for work on Monday morning.

Officer David Smith is survived by his wife and young child.

An investigation has been opened into this case, which police are treating as a homicide.