A 21-year Trooper with the State Police was shot Friday during an exchange of gunfire after he stopped a SUV traveling more than 100mph on I-88 in Duanesburg.
A photo shared by State Police show a man later identified as Nelson Troche, 32, of Schenectady, sticking a handgun out the driver-side window before firing on Trooper Richard Albert of Cobleskill.
Trooper Albert suffered a gunshot wound to his upper left arm and was taken to Ellis Hospital for treatment before being released later in the day, walking out under his own power to the applause of fellow officers.
The 11:11am incident shut down I-88 traffic until after 5pm as Troopers searched for Mr. Troche, who fled on foot and was found about 90 minutes later in the nearby woods, suffering from what State Police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
At a press conference at SP Princetown Friday at 4:30pm, Deputy Superintendent--Field Command Richard Allen told reporters Mr. Troche was transported to Albany Medical Center via a LifeNet helicopter, where he was pronounced dead.
The image of the handgun taking aim was taken from Trooper Albert’s body-worn camera, Deputy Superintendent Allen said.
“We’ve seen the body-worn image of his actions and it’s textbook how he handled it,” he said.
Troopers said the incident began in Duanesburg when Trooper Albert, who’s stationed in Cobleskill, spotted a car traveling more than 100mph traveling east on I-88.
He stopped the car, Deputy Superintendent Allen said, but as he approached, Mr. Troche put down the window and stuck out the gun.
“He was fired upon as he approached the driver’s side window. It was unprovoked. Nothing had taken place prior to that other than stopping the car,” he said.
Monday, State Police announced the arrest of the SUV’s driver, 30-year-old Alicia G. Eriole of Schenectady, who has been charged with two counts of first-degree robbery and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the incident.
Ms. Eriole was taken into police custody at the scene Friday; police said their investigation determined she was a willing participant in the crimes.
She was arraigned Saturday on the robbery charges and Sunday on the gun charges, and remanded to the Schenectady County Correctional Facility in lieu of $105,000 cash bail or $525,000 bond.
The investigation is ongoing, Troopers said, and more charges are likely.
Schoharie and Duanesburg Central Schools issued shelter-in-place orders as the manhunt shutdown traffic on I-88.
Sheriff Ron Stevens and Undersheriff Bruce Baker were called out of Friday’s Board of Supervisors meeting to the scene; also responding were Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and officers from the Cobleskill, Glenville, and Schenectady Police Departments.
EMS ambulances were also on standby at the scene and nearby, and volunteers were called in to assist with traffic.
DOT trucks were also used to block off the entrances to I-88 and a logging truck pulled across I-88 in front of the SUV so the driver couldn’t pull off.
Trooper Albert and his wife, Kelly Morrissette-Albert, used Facebook to thank friends and supporters.
“We just wanted to take a quick moment to say thank you to everyone who has reached out and those who have assisted us during this tragic time,” they wrote.
“We are of course still processing what happened, so thankful and grateful for the outcome, and are overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from so many people and organizations.
“Please know that while we can’t respond to everyone, your thoughts, prayers, and support have been appreciated.”