ITHACA, N.Y. — On Monday morning, a New York State trooper was killed while responding to a domestic dispute call in a small town just west of Corning.
New York State Trooper Nicholas F. Clark, 29, was killed when he responded to a suicidal barricaded man at a home on 10041 Welch Road in the town of Erwin, police confirmed. The suspected shooter, Steven M. Kiley, 43, was later found dead in the home from a gunshot wound.
According to officials, Kiley, who was reportedly a principal at the Bradford Central School District, told his estranged wife that he was considering committing suicide. She called police around 3:30 a.m. to report the incident and told officers that her husband might be armed.
The New York State Police, Corning Police Department and Steuben County Sheriff’s Department all responded to the scene and created a perimeter.
First Deputy Superintendent Chris Fiore, of the New York State Police, said during a news conference Monday that crisis negotiators were brought to the scene but were unable to make contact with Kiley.
The suspect eventually opened fire on officers, killing Clark.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at a news conference that Clark was a “stellar trooper with an extraordinary record, his whole life before him.”
“He wanted to do one thing, just help people and be part of public service,” Cuomo said. “There’s no answer, there’s no point (to the shooting). It’s just sad and painful.”
He said thoughts and prayers are with Clark’s mother, father, and brother.
Officials said Clark was a lifelong resident of Steuben County and currently lived in Troupsburg. He graduated from Canisteo-Greenwood High School before attending college in North Carolina on a wrestling scholarship. A year later, he transferred to Alfred University, where he played football. He at one point also tried out for the Buffalo Bills football team. Clark graduated from the 203rd session of Basic School on Sept. 3, 2015 and was assigned to the Ithaca area before serving in the Auburn area and being transferred to the Bath barracks in August 2017.
Ithaca Police Department Chief Pete Tyler said in a statement Monday, “Please join The IPD Family in sending strength and love to our fellow first responders in Corning as they investigate the particulars of what transpired … The Trooper’s family undoubtedly needs your support too; please send them the love and support they need.”
Note: Reporters from The Ithaca Voice were not at the Monday press conference that happened at the Painted Post State Police Barracks in Coopers Plains. The press conference was viewed courtesy of the Auburn Citizen video below.
