Levine Gunfight: Troopers Justified in Deadly Shooting

BALLSTON SPA, NY – David Levine, 42, walked into a hail of gunfire after opening fire on the New York State Police barracks in Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, on April 9, 2025. Today, New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) announced its findings: troopers were legally justified in returning fire, killing Levine at the scene. The announcement, delivered via a Notification of Investigative Findings, effectively closes the case, though a full Investigation Report is forthcoming.

According to OSI, Levine drove onto the grounds of the barracks and immediately began shooting at the building. Several troopers emerged, taking cover and attempting to de-escalate the situation, ordering Levine to drop his weapon. He refused. Instead, Levine leveled his firearm at a trooper, prompting multiple officers to open fire. The volley of shots struck Levine, and he was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. A firearm was recovered at the scene.

The entire incident was captured on the troopers’ body-worn cameras (BWC), providing crucial evidence for OSI’s investigation. The footage, a still from which accompanies this report, reportedly shows Levine actively engaging the troopers with his weapon. OSI is mandated by New York State Executive Law Section 70-b to investigate every instance where a law enforcement officer’s actions may have resulted in a death, regardless of the circumstances or the status of the deceased.

“This isn’t about celebrating a death,” a source within OSI told Grimy Times on background. “It’s about applying the law. The evidence, including the BWC footage, clearly demonstrates the troopers reasonably believed their lives were in imminent danger. A prosecutor would be hard-pressed to disprove that beyond a reasonable doubt.” The source emphasized that the investigation was thorough and objective, despite the inherent complexities of officer-involved shootings.

While the OSI has determined no criminal charges will be filed against the troopers, the final Investigation Report will likely detail the specific actions of each officer involved, as well as a comprehensive timeline of events. The report is expected to be made public at a later date, providing a complete record of the incident for public scrutiny. The incident highlights the ever-present danger faced by law enforcement and the split-second decisions they are often forced to make.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as the final Investigation Report is released. The question remains: what drove David Levine to launch an attack on a state police barracks, and what, if anything, could have prevented this tragic outcome? The report may shed light on Levine’s motives, but for now, the focus remains on the legal justification of the troopers’ actions.