Newburgh, NY - Two Cops on Leave After Shooting that Killed Activist's Son

Newburgh, NY - Two City of Newburgh police officers have been placed on administrative leave after they were involved in the shooting that killed the son of an outspoken black community activist last night, inciting a volatile mob scene of anti-cop onlookers.  "They killed my son," said activist and father Omari Shakur, standing on the outskirts of the yellow police tape. 

Shakur said his youngest son, Antonio "Tony" Bryant, 23, was dead at the nearby Newburgh campus of St. Lukes Cornwall Hospital from a bullet wound to the head.

According to city police, a shootout began when Sgt. Frank Labrada tried to stop a red Jeep Cherokee in the area of City Terrace and Van Ness Street about 7 p.m. Bryant, dressed all in black with a black hood, jumped from the Jeep and fired shots at Labrada as he got out of his police car. Then Bryant ran south, toward Broadway. Another officer, William Lahar, had just finished a traffic stop on Broadway when he saw Bryant with a gun. Police said Bryant opened fire at both Labrada and Lahar. Officer Lahar shot back at Bryant, killing him.

The two police involved have been placed on administrative leave, the police department said this morning that both will be interviewed by the New York State Police Critical Review Team. 
Police Chief Eric Paolilli said that Bryant had fired first at Labrada and Lahar, and that Lahar’s shooting of him was “reasonable and justified.” In many police departments, placing officers on leave after they're involved in a shooting is standard practice.