Buffalo, N.Y. — The Buffalo Police Department released body camera footage of a shooting and a pursuit after two Buffalo Police Officers were fired upon at nearly point-blank range while they were in their patrol car. Police said just after 7 p.m. on June 17, two officers on patrol came across a shooting on Sears Street and Broadway. 63-year-old Atlas Johnson was shot several times and pronounced dead at the scene.
When officers arrived at the scene the shooting suspect, identified as 27-year-old Nakeem Haynes, allegedly jumped onto the hood of the police car and fired a shot through the windshield then ran. That round ended up striking the gun holster of officer Jake Michienzi. The officers then chased Haynes for several blocks to Kent Street, where they came under fire again. The body camera footage shows two officers firing 13 rounds, eight of which struck Haynes, to whom they then began to render first aid after kicking away a gun laying next to his body.
Haynes was transported to ECMC where he remains hospitalized with various physical injuries. Additional charges may be filed as the homicide and the officer-involved shooting remains under investigation. Haynes is scheduled to return on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was held without bail. If convicted of the charge, Haynes faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
