Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Buffalo Police have released the names of the three officers wounded during Tuesday's police pursuit. The suspected gunman's name has also been released. He's charged with three counts of attempted murder of a police officer, among other charges.
Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said on Wednesday Officer Trevor Sheehan (seven years on the force) was shot on Bailey Avenue by the "E" District station, where he suffered gunshot wounds to his left bicep and ear. Meanwhile, Officer Christopher Wilson (four years on the force) was shot in the 1900 block of Genesee Street when he was struck in the chest, where his bulletproof vest stopped the round.
Both officers were treated of their wounds and released from the hospital.
Meanwhile, Joseph McCarthy (five years on the force) remains in the hospital after he was struck at Ferry and Filmore and sustained a lower abdomen wound. McCarthy underwent surgery on the wound, but is said to be recovering and in stable condition.
"This is a situation where an individual is indiscriminately shooting at officers from a car," said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown during Wednesday's press briefing. "I want to just repeat what I've said [Tuesday]: We are very fortunate that no one was killed in this incident. No member of the Buffalo Police Department, no member of the public."
Mayor Brown also says all three officers that were wounded in this incident are in "good spirits".
The suspect has been identified as 28-year-old Kente Bell. Gramaglia says the incident all started with a suspicious vehicle investigation at the foot of Ferry Street. Police approached the vehicle and attempted to speak with the occupants of the car. After some identification was presented to the officers, the driver then reportedly fled the scene.
"We're making more progress. Our detectives have worked continuously on this. There is a lot of work to do," said Commissioner Gramaglia on Wednesday. "There is a lot of body camera footage, a lot of city surveillance camera footage, a lot of private video."
All together, there were about 19 different crime scenes that Buffalo Police is re-tracing and continuing to investigate. It is believed that Bell started firing at officers and vehicles somewhere in the Black Rock district of Buffalo.
According to the Police Commissioner, a total of 10 police vehicles have been held as evidence and are being processed. Nine of those vehicles have bullet damage to the hood, doors and windshields.
Commissioner Gramaglia also pointed out on Wednesday that Tuesday was not Bell's first run-in with police. Back in March of 2020, Bell was convicted of a firearms violation in Amherst, where he pleaded guilty and was placed on probation.
Bell was also wounded as a result of the chase, and remains in critical condition at Erie County Medical Center.
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Gramaglia says Buffalo Police have the one person they believe is responsible for the crime.
"It's a miracle that nobody died. It's a miracle that we're all standing here today talking about everyone surviving, and our officers are all going to fully recover," Gramaglia said.
You can listen to Wednesday's entire press briefing below: