Gunfight Erupts in Pitcher Between Chenango County Sheriffs, State Police and Unidentified Gunman

The Chenango County sheriff's office and state police were called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident late Thursday night on State Route 23 in the town of Pitcher, and an unidentified man allegedly confronted the officers with a handgun.

Sheriff deputies took positions behind their vehicles and began a dialog with the man. As the subject advanced toward one of the deputies, with his weapon drawn, a deputy discharged his weapon.

The subject allegedly began repeatedly discharging his weapon at the officers, hitting a sheriff's vehicle and a state police vehicle. The man turned and began moving toward the second deputy, again with his weapon drawn.

The first deputy fired a round from his patrol rifle, striking the man before more shots were fired. Police have not released the gunman's name, but said he was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse.

The incident is under investigation by the Sheriff's Office and state police.