David Levine Shot by State Troopers, Saratoga County NY, 2023

SARATOGA COUNTY, NY – A tense standoff turned deadly on April 9th when David Levine was shot and killed by New York State Police troopers in the parking lot of the Saratoga Barracks. New York Attorney General Letitia James today dumped raw bodycam footage of the incident, a move intended to bolster transparency, but leaving more questions than answers about the events leading to Levine’s death.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, troopers encountered David Levine armed with a firearm. Authorities claim he disregarded repeated commands to drop the weapon, and instead, allegedly raised the gun towards a trooper, prompting the NYSP to open fire. Levine was rushed to a local hospital and pronounced dead. A firearm was recovered at the scene, but details about its ownership and whether it had been fired remain murky.

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI), a division of the Attorney General’s Office, is mandated under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b to investigate any death potentially caused by a law enforcement officer. This includes on-duty and off-duty incidents, armed or unarmed subjects, and those in or out of custody. OSI’s initial assessment triggered a full investigation, culminating in today’s release of the bodycam footage.

“The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party,” a statement from the Attorney General’s office reads, a standard disclaimer meant to avoid prejudicing any potential criminal proceedings. However, the footage itself – graphic and potentially disturbing – is likely to ignite intense public scrutiny. Grimy Times has obtained confirmation that the troopers involved remain on active duty pending the outcome of the OSI investigation.

Sources close to the investigation indicate Levine’s background is under intense review, with investigators digging into his past for any indication of motive. While authorities haven’t released details on why Levine was at the State Police Barracks, speculation is rampant, ranging from a potential mental health crisis to a more sinister intent. The lack of immediate information is fueling distrust among some community members.

The Attorney General’s office warns viewers that the released videos contain disturbing content. Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story, providing updates as they become available. The full bodycam footage is now publicly accessible through the Attorney General’s website, but viewers are cautioned to proceed with discretion. The question remains: was the use of force justified, or did the situation escalate unnecessarily?