Syracuse Shootout: Officer Justified in Donnell Hogan Killing

SYRACUSE, NY – Donnell Hogan, 38, is dead after a tense standoff with Syracuse Police Department (SPD) officers on May 13, 2025. New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) released a report today concluding that the officer who fired the fatal shot was legally justified in their actions. The report details a chaotic scene fueled by reports of gunfire and a suspect actively shooting a weapon.

The incident unfolded around 10 p.m. on North Townsend Street. 911 dispatchers were flooded with calls reporting a man firing a gun both inside and outside an apartment building. Witnesses on scene specifically identified a man in a wheelchair on the second floor as the shooter. SPD officers responded swiftly, dividing into two teams to approach the situation from different angles and secure the building.

According to the OSI report, the first team of officers encountered Donnell Hogan in a second-floor hallway, maintaining a distance of approximately 60 feet. Unable to immediately ascertain if Hogan had a weapon in his hands, officers repeatedly shouted commands for him to “show your hands.” Simultaneously, the second team of officers entered the hallway from a perpendicular direction, emerging from a stairwell. It was at this moment, the report states, that Hogan raised a pistol with his right hand and fired at the approaching officers.

A single round was discharged by the lead officer from the first team, striking and killing Donnell Hogan. A pistol was recovered at the scene. The investigation meticulously reviewed body-worn camera footage, statements from officers, 911 calls, and witness interviews. Despite the thorough examination, OSI determined that a prosecutor could not disprove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer’s actions were justified under New York State law.

New York’s justification law allows police officers to use deadly force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend themselves from the use of deadly physical force by another individual. Given the initial reports of gunfire, the sighting of Hogan with a weapon, his failure to comply with commands to show his hands, and his subsequent act of firing at officers, OSI concluded that the officer’s response met the legal threshold.

As a result of the findings, OSI has determined that criminal charges will not be pursued in connection with the death of Donnell Hogan. The case highlights the split-second decisions officers face in active shooter scenarios and the high bar for prosecuting justifiable uses of force. The full OSI report is available to the public on the New York Attorney General’s website, providing a detailed account of the investigation and its conclusions.