Saratoga Springs, N.Y. — A 48-year-old man, identified as James Dellea of Hillsdale, was fatally shot by a New York State trooper after he brandished a firearm during a police intervention in Saratoga Springs.
The incident unfolded late Wednesday afternoon when police received a distress call about an individual threatening self-harm. Authorities located Dellea in his car at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway parking lot on State Route 9 in the town of Malta. According to police reports, when officers attempted to approach him, he failed to comply with commands to exit his vehicle and fled the scene, leading to a low-speed chase.
The pursuit concluded at the Bethel Saratoga church parking lot on Route 9, where Dellea once again refused to vacate his car despite multiple commands from law enforcement. It was during this standoff that Dellea revealed a firearm, prompting a trooper to discharge his weapon, resulting in Dellea’s death.
No officers were injured during the incident. State Route 9 experienced temporary closures from Old Post Road to East West Road as investigators worked at the scene. The New York State Attorney General’s office has joined the ongoing investigation, a standard protocol in incidents involving police shootings.
Local community leaders expressed their concerns and sympathies following the tragic event. Pastor John Gentile of the Bethel Church highlighted the somber nature of the shooting’s location and the impact on the community. He emphasized his commitment to supporting all involved parties through prayer, including the deceased’s family, the law enforcement officials, and the broader community.
Authorities have assured the public that there is no further threat to safety related to this incident. The investigation continues as both law enforcement and community members seek to understand the sequence of events that led to this fatal shooting.