Police shootout suspect arraigned

ROCHESTER N.Y. (WHEC) — A parolee is charged with attempted aggravated murder of a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon after a shootout with police on Friday. He was arraigned in court Saturday morning.

RPD Chief David Smith said that officers responded to the 400 block of Remington Street at around 2 a.m., for a domestic incident call to 911. When they arrived, police say 32-year-old Donovan Humphrey, who is on parole for a 2007 manslaughter conviction, opened the front door and suddenly shot at officers.

Police say one of the rounds Humphrey fired became lodged in the porch pillar that one of the officers was using as cover. While the officers retreated, police say they returned fire, but Humphrey ran out the front door and tried to continue to fire at the officers.

It was only due to his gun malfunctioning that he could not, police say. That’s when police say he dropped the gun and ran.

Police say he was quickly apprehended on Weaver Street and taken into custody without further incident.

During the shootout, no one was hit, but the suspect and an officer who was attacked by an unleashed dog shortly after Humphrey was taken into custody were treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police say Humphrey was charged with attempted aggravated murder of a police officer and second and third degree criminal possession of a weapon because he is prohibited from legally possessing a firearm due to two prior violent felony convictions.

Those convictions include a conviction for second degree manslaughter and second degree assault for the death of Ajana Dortch. He also shot and injured another person. He was sentenced to 11 to 15 years in prison with three years post release supervision and was paroled in 2019.

While on parole in January of 2021, Humphrey was arrested again for second-degree assault, in a case where he allegedly pistol whipped someone in the head. He was granted and posted bail on that charge, which is still pending.

BREAKING: The man who @RochesterNYPD says tried to kill two officers this morning went to prison for Manslaughter back in 2008. This is his mug shot from back then. He got out of prison in 2019 and was on parole. Watch @news10nbc at 5, 6 & 7 for complete coverage. pic.twitter.com/KqgZsSmSiR

— Nikki Rudd (@whec_nrudd) May 6, 2022

Anytime an officer fires their weapon, there is an investigation into what led up to the shooting, Smith said. The Major Crimes Unit and Professional Standards Section are conducting the investigation and areas of Remington Street have police tape around them.

The shootout happened just north of the Eugenio Maria De Hostos Charter School.

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans sent the following statement:

"This morning, two Rochester Police Department Officers were almost murdered as they responded to a call for help from a city home. It was a miracle they got out of there safely.

It is a testament to their bravery and training that they were able to apprehend the suspect and prevent others in that home from being hit by gunfire.

We should all be grateful to the men and women of the Rochester Police Department. They choose to put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect and serve the people of Rochester."