Man dead after foot chase with Syracuse police; chief says he shot himself

Syracuse, N.Y. — A foot chase with police officers ended Tuesday evening on Syracuse’s North Side when a man fatally shot himself, the Syracuse police chief said.

Patrolling officers saw a man shoot at someone with a handgun around 7:57 p.m. in the area of Park and Oberst streets, Police Chief Joe Cecile said Tuesday night.

Cecile said a preliminary investigation showed that police chased him to Carbon Street, where he shot himself. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the chief said. The man was in his 20s, police said.

Whether the man shot himself intentionally or accidentally is being investigated, police said.

Cecile said officers did not fire any shots. The person who was shot at was not injured, he said.

Cecile said body cam footage from officers will be reviewed. He said he expects the state’s Attorney General’s Office to conduct an investigation.

The AG’s office was ordered to conduct investigations of all fatal incidents involving police officers as of April 2021.

Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him: Email | Twitter or at 315-690-6950.