Rochester Police: Lamont Place homicide suspect in custody after he fired at officers

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Rochester Police have the suspect in the Wednesday morning homicide on Lamont Place in custody after police say he fired at officers Thursday afternoon.

Rochester Police say it started at just before 1 p.m. when they spotted the suspect in a vehicle on Avenue D near Hollenbeck Street and attempted to initiate a traffic stop and take him into custody. Instead, police say the vehicle fled.

During the pursuit, police say the front seat passenger fired at least two rounds at officers, and the officers returned fire. Police say the suspect later threw the gun out the window.

Police say the chase stopped at the 600 block of Avenue D, and both occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody without further incident. Neither the suspect nor the officers were hurt and no one was struck according to police.

"I can report at this time that no person was struck by gunfire during the incident," Interim RPD Chief David Smith said. "Our officers and the suspects are unharmed."

Officers recovered a 9 mm pistol at the scene and they are now cross-checking to see if it is connected to any other crimes.

Smith said the officers involved will be on administrative duty until the outcome of the investigation into the incident, as is policy.

Thursday night, police released the identity of the suspect, saying 36-year-old Nicholas A. DeLeon was charged with second degree murder and second degree criminal possession of a weapon for the homicide and two counts of attempted aggravated murder of a police officer and second degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection to Thursday’s incident.

Capt. Frank Umbrino said the Lamont Street homicide was domestic-related, saying DeLeon had dated the victim, 19-year-old Christian Santiago’s, mother.

Police say additional charges may be filed against DeLeon because he has a prior felony criminal possession of a weapon conviction as well as four prior misdemeanor convictions.

Watch the full press conference in the video below (mobile users, click here):