Lancaster, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Lancaster Police Department provided the latest update Thursday into an incident from Wednesday morning involving a shooting at the residence of an off-duty Lancaster police officer.
At the time of the shooting at 296 Enchanted Forest North in the Town of Lancaster, a total of four people were present inside of the home: Officer John LaPiana, the homeowner, a 22-year-old female victim and an off-duty Buffalo police officer.
According to Lancaster Police, officials were notified of the shooting by Buffalo Police Dispatch. Officers responded to the address and made contact with the homeowner and Officer LaPiana, who confirmed the victim had sustained a gunshot wound inside the residence and she had already been transported to the hospital.
From information gathered into the investigation, to this point, the victim sustained a gunshot wound to her right leg at approximately 5 a.m. She was transported to Mercy Hospital of Buffalo in a private vehicle driven by the homeowner, with Officer LaPiana and the off-duty Buffalo police officers as passengers.
The victim and the Buffalo police officer were dropped off at the hospital, while the homeowner and Officer LaPiana returned to the residence.
Lancaster police say the investigation into the incident continues, but also provided some additional details:
- Officer Lapiana has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation;
- The incident does not appear to be domestic in nature, and is believed to be unintentional;
- The victim was later transported by Lancaster Police from Mercy Hospital to Erie County Medical Center for further treatment and was released the same day;
- The 9mm firearm involved in the incident was recovered at the scene, and is property of the Buffalo police officer;
- The weapon was not a service weapon;
- The Erie County District Attorney's Office has joined the investigation to help determine any potential criminal charges. As of now, no charges have been filed.
The Buffalo police officer, who is said to be probationary police officer (PPO), has already been suspended with pay as the investigation continues.
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