Incident
| Date | Jun 11, 2025 |
| Time | 05:00 AM |
| Department | Buffalo Police Department |
| Address | Lancaster, NY |
Incident Description
A 22-year old woman was shot in the leg at the home of Lancaster police officer John LaPiana with a gun belonging to a probationary Buffalo police officer.
Investigators claim there were four people in the home at the time of the shooting. An off-duty BPD Officer, an off-duty Lancaster police officer, the 22-year-old woman, and the homeowner. The homeowner and LaPiana drove the victim to the Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, dropped her off with the Buffalo police officer, and returned home to talk to responding officers. She was then taken to ECMC and released later that day.
Outcome
The Buffalo police department continues its trend of protecting the identity of the officers who commit misconduct and has witheld the name of the the officer whose gun was used in shooting the woman. The department has said that Internal Affairs is involved so that the department can investigate itself.
The Lancaster police officer was placed on PAID administrative leave and the Buffalo police officer was suspended with PAY. No other information has been provided regarding disciplinary action against the officer.
Links
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New details emerge in shooting where Lancaster, Buffalo police officers were present
Buffalo police have withheld the officer’s name. Buffalo Police Commissioner Alphonso Wright’s office declined to comment on Wednesday and Thursday, citing the department’s ongoing internal investigation. - Aaron Besecker | Buffalo News
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Buffalo, Lancaster cops at scene of shooting at Lancaster officer's home
“We are attempting to confirm who fired the gun and why,” Assistant Police Chief Jonathan Ziders said in an email. “When we verify the events and the role of everyone involved, we will release what the investigation allows.” - Aaron Besecker | Buffalo News
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Reported shooting at an off-duty Lancaster officers home
We've also learned a member of Buffalo Police was at the scene when the shooting happened. The department saying in a statement "Early this morning, Buffalo Police were made aware that a Probationary Police Officer of the BPD was present at a shooting incident that occurred at Enchanted Forest North in the Town of Lancaster while he was off duty. Buffalo Police Internal Affairs Division responded immediately. The PPO involved was suspended with pay as the investigation looks into the facts of what occurred this morning. Buffalo Police have no further comment at this time." - Olivia Beilein | WGRZ
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Lancaster officer on leave, Buffalo officer suspended with pay after woman was injured in shooting
A probationary Lancaster police officer was placed on paid administrative leave, and a probationary Buffalo police officer was suspended with pay after a 22-year-old woman was shot and injured at a Lancaster home. - WKBW News Staff
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Buffalo police officer suspended after shooting in Lancaster
Multiple people were at the Lancaster home according to law enforcement, including a probationary Buffalo Police officer. According to BPD, their internal affairs division responded to the shooting incident. - Ryan Zunner | BTPM
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Lancaster Police release new details on shooting involving off-duty officers
We now know the 22-year-old woman was shot in the leg by a gun belonging to the BPD officer, but it was not a service weapon. At this time, we do not know who fired the gun. Investigations believe this is not a domestic incident, and is believed to be unintentional. - WGRZ Staff