A New York man who authorities say “refused to exit his vehicle despite numerous commands to do so” was fatally shot by a state trooper at a church parking lot in Saratoga Springs.
The incident unfolded at approximately 4 p.m. on Wednesday, state police said in a news release.
James A. Dellea, 48, of Hillsdale, was in the parking lot at Albany-Saratoga Speedway on Route 9 in Malta when he was located by police.
Troopers attempted to speak with Dellea, who had reportedly threatened to hurt himself, but he refused to exit his vehicle and fled the scene.
After a “low-speed vehicle pursuit,” Dellea was stopped by authorities in the parking lot of a nearby church in Saratoga Springs. The church, also on Route 9, is the former site of a restaurant.
Once again, Dellea was asked to exit his vehicle but refused to comply.
Officials then “observed Dellea brandishing a firearm, at which time one of the troopers fired his weapon, fatally shooting him,” Major Christopher Gilroy said at a press conference late Wednesday night.
Dellea “died in the shadow of our cross,” Bethel Saratoga said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
No other person was injured in the incident, according to Gilroy.
The state attorney general’s office was contacted, which is protocol when an officer-involved fatality occurs, and responded to the scene. Gilroy said.
The New York State Park Police and the Saratoga Springs Police Department are also assisting in the investigation, he added.
Saratoga Springs is located just north of Albany.
