Buffalo witnessed a tragic incident last year when New York state trooper Anthony Nigro was charged with manslaughter for fatally shooting an unarmed motorist, James Huber. The incident occurred after a high-speed chase when Huber refused to exit his vehicle. Trooper Nigro pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment in Buffalo and was surprisingly released without bail. This case is unique because the New York attorney general, who has the authority to investigate instances of lethal force by law enforcement, is prosecuting the officer.
The president of the union representing Trooper Nigro staunchly defended him, stating that the shooting was justified. However, the trooper's body camera footage, recorded on February 12, 2022, provides an insight into the events that transpired.
The pursuit began when troopers spotted Huber, a resident of North East, Pennsylvania, speeding on Interstate 90 near Buffalo. The chase reached speeds exceeding 100 mph before the officers decided to end it. Nevertheless, Trooper Nigro managed to catch up with Huber on a downtown street in Buffalo and used his cruiser to block his path.
The state attorney general's office released the body camera footage, which shows Trooper Nigro, a 16-year veteran of the state police, approaching Huber's vehicle with his gun drawn. He aggressively ordered Huber to exit the car, using profanity. Huber, however, refused and defiantly responded with phrases like "Go away," "never," and "nope," while the trooper persistently demanded compliance. Throughout this tense exchange, the trooper's gun remained inches away from the motorist's head.
In a moment of heightened tension, Huber placed his hand on the car's shifter, indicating he might shift gears. In response, the trooper forcefully pulled on the hood of Huber's sweatshirt before firing two shots. The car then abruptly reversed, briefly dragging the trooper before he fell to the ground.
This tragic incident has sparked significant questions about the use of force by law enforcement officers. As the legal proceedings continue, the public anxiously awaits justice and a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding this devastating loss of life.
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