Rochester, New York – The Rochester Police Department released body-worn camera footage on Thursday, showing a violent December shootout that left three Rochester officers wounded and a suspect dead. Police Chief David Smith said the video is graphic, but he also pointed to what he described as officers acting decisively under fire while trying to protect residents and each other.
According to Smith, the incident began around 10:15 p.m. on December 19, 2025, when a man called 911 to report that his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend was trying to break into a home and might be armed. Officers located the suspect, identified by police as Eric Davis, 38, outside the house. Smith said when two officers approached, Davis produced a handgun and fired at least six rounds, striking both officers at close range.
A short time later, officers encountered Davis again. Davis immediately opened fire, striking a third officer in the upper body. The wounded officer and another officer returned fire, and Davis was killed at the scene. The chief credited fellow officers’ immediate response, ballistic vests, and medical care for helping keep the wounded officers alive.
All three injured officers were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. One officer was released the next day but continued receiving medical treatment, another remained hospitalized with serious injuries, and the third was discharged on December 24th and continued recovering at home.
Field Lessons are offered strictly as general, industry-standard reminders drawn from common safety practices and typical policy considerations. They are not based on any inside knowledge of this specific incident, do not presume what actions were taken, and should not be interpreted as commentary on the decisions made at the scene.
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Treat domestic calls as high risk (amplifiers) until proven otherwise, especially when reports include forced entry and weapons.
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Build your approach around angles and cover, and avoid compressing into fatal funnels near corners, fences, and side yards.
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If you locate a suspect outside, create distance where possible. Distance can buy time, but more importantly, it mitigates the risk of a successful attack against law enforcement. The majority of officer attacks occur within ten feet, so distance can provide a much-needed advantage for officers.
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Upon contact, prioritize hands, waistband, and the suspect’s ability to access or present a weapon.
- If there is reasonable suspicion that a suspect possesses a weapon, action beats reaction, and officers should have their weapons drawn upon contact.
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If an officer is hit and the suspect is neutralized, immediately shift to rescue, cover, and medical roles. Tourniquet and wound care proficiency matters.
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During a moving suspect event, focus on containment, coordination, and clear radio traffic to prevent isolated solo contacts.
Dr. Travis Yates has pioneered a behavioral risk framework to help officers and leaders identify, assess, and articulate risk in rapidly evolving, uncertain situations. Find out more about the FOCUS Behavioral Risk Framework.
