Latest: RPD says suspect shot and killed in police shootout may be tied to several murders

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The suspect shot and killed by Rochester Police during a shootout at a store Wednesday night is believed to be tied to at least three people killed, Chief Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan said Thursday.

During an update on a separate investigation, the chief took time to provide an update on the shooting. While she did not release the suspect’s name, she did say investigators believe the murders happened between 2020 and 2021, though specific dates were not given.

Police went to the scene at a Family Dollar store on West Main Street for an attempted robbery, as Herriott-Sullivan said police got a call from an employee who said the suspect was holding the manager at gun point.

She says two officers entered the store and then met the suspect, who she says ran from the officers inside the store. At some point during the chase, she said shots were fired by both police, and the suspect. The whole incident happened over the course of less than two minutes.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. Herriott-Sullivan did not disclose who shot first, or how many rounds were fired.

Statement from Mayor Warren on RPD shooting: "I have urged (the chief) to review, redact and release all related Body Worn Camera footage as soon as possible. The Chief has stated that she will do so. I am grateful that no one else including our officers was injured.” @news10nbc https://t.co/kQqhn3ReMH

— Berkeley Brean (@whec_bbrean) October 7, 2021

#JustIn Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren just released this statement following last night’s deadly police shooting: pic.twitter.com/mDJ5g5zIoo

— news10nbc (@news10nbc) October 7, 2021

The two officers were not hurt. People in the store were also unharmed.

Due to it being a police shooting, the New York State Attorney General’s Office is handling the investigation. The chief told reporters the department could only give "preliminary" information as she says it will ultimately be up to the AG’s office to release more info.

That being said, Herriott-Sullivan commented the department is working on redacting the bodycam footage so it can be released. It follows a push from Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, who is also reviewing the footage.