Two Rochester Police Department officers were ambushed and shot Thursday night, leaving at least one officer dead.
Rochester has seen a surge in homicides in the last few years, and the department has become a target for activists who want to defund the police.
Officers Anthony Mazurkiewicz and Sino Seng were on duty when they were ambushed and shot at by a male, though no suspects are currently in custody, WHEC 10 News reported.
Tragically, Mazurkiewicz, who was shot in the upper body, died from his injuries at Strong Memorial Hospital. He was a 29-year veteran of the force.
The man @RochesterNYPD and all of Rochester lost. Tony Mazurkiewicz, an undercover cop friends called a “character” shot and killed last night. Praying for his wife Lynn and their family. 29 year veteran of the @RochesterNYPD @SPECNews1ROC pic.twitter.com/Uoe0fkzzM2
— Jim Aroune (@JimAroune) July 22, 2022
Seng was treated at Rochester General Hospital and is now recovering at home, the news report said.
The city’s new mayor, Democrat Malik Evans, who replaced embattled Democrat Lovely Warren, said “gun violence” was to blame for the attack.
“Tonight, there were two Rochester Police officers shot; one is critically wounded. We are sending our strongest prayers that he survives his injuries,” Evans said. “The tragic gun violence in Rochester must come to an end. Today, we declared a gun violence emergency in our community and this shooting is proof that we are indeed, in an emergency.”
“Our police officers are out there sacrificing their lives for us every day,” the mayor added. “They perform their jobs in dangerous conditions as we go about our daily lives and we owe them a great debt of gratitude.”
Former Rochester police chief and Republican New York congressional candidate La’Ron Singletary slammed the “coward” who attacked the officers, adding that Rochester is “under siege.”
“As the former Police Chief, my heart is hurting and I am thinking of the men and women of the RPD after learning that two former colleagues were shot during a detail on Bauman Street, killing one and injuring another,” Singletary said in a statement sent to The Daily Wire. “These brave heroes were doing their job protecting the citizens of our city and were viciously attacked by a coward who has no regard for human life.”
“Our city is under siege, and we must stand with those who have sworn an oath to serve and protect us,” the former police chief added. “Join me in praying for all the men and women of the Rochester Police Department and especially for the two heroes who knowingly put themselves in harm’s way in service to our city and its citizens.”