CAIRO, N.Y. — New York State Police identified Trooper Ronal Diaz-Arriaza in the Sept. 14 fatal shooting of Amir Mahmoud Hamza at the Whip-O-Will campground in Cairo.
Ariaza reportedly joined the State Police in 2023.
State police said in an initial press release Tuesday, Sept. 15, that troopers from the Catskill barracks arrived at the Whip-O-Will Campground at 644 county Route 31 at approximately 8:22 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, following a 911 call during which an ongoing domestic dispute could be heard in the background.
At around 8:30 p.m., troopers located the victim of the reported assault, who had sustained a non-life-threatening head injury, according to the release. The victim, a male, directed troopers to a nearby camper in the campground where Amir Hamza, 45, was located, according to police.
State police said that as troopers approached the camper, knocked on the door and announced, “state police.” Hamza exited and advanced while extending his right arm and pointing a “black pistol-style gun” directly at a trooper, police said. State police said the trooper “moved out of Hamza’s Line of approach, drew his division-issued firearm, and discharged his weapon,” striking Hamza.
Authorities said an investigation determined that the weapon possessed by Hamza was actually a black pistol-style BB gun.
A comparison between the BB-gun found at the scene and a real firearm, shared by New York State Police online. (Courtesy of New York State Police)
On Sept. 16, the New York State Attorney General’s Office announced that it opened an investigation into the death of Amir Mahmoud Hamza, who was killed by New York State Police in Cairo on Monday.
The Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations, per state law, assess every reported incident where a police officer or peace officer may have caused a death.
In the press release from the Attorney General’s Office, officials added that the trooper had told Hamza to drop the weapon, and he reportedly kept moving forward toward the trooper, before the trooper fired.
Authorities added that troopers rendered medical aid and CPR, and an automated external defibrillator was utilized until emergency medical personnel arrived and assumed lifesaving measures. Hamza was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services personnel, officials said.
The victim of the assault was taken to Albany Medical Center, where he is reported to be in stable condition, state police said.
Officials said these were preliminary facts and subject to change during the course of the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to call state police at (845) 344-5300.