The suspect Jamal Booker, and Officer Anthony Augustine
ITHACA -- A 22-year-old Ithaca man has been arrested for shooting an Ithaca Police officer in the line of duty Thursday night.
Ithaca police released new details during a press conference that just wrapped up. Police say at 10:17 last night, Ithaca police were called to South Plain Street for a report of a stolen vehicle. The caller said her 2002 Toyota Camry was stolen while she was picking up her children from a relative's house.
Police later spotted the car while patrolling the west side of the city. Police say as the car was turning from Brindley Street on to West State Street officers turned on their emergency lights and tried to stop the vehicle. They say the driver, 22-year-old Jamal Booker, didn't stop and began speeding up on Elm Street. After a short chase the car stopped on Elmcrest Circle and Booker jumped out of the car and ran. Officers chased him into a wooded area.
Officer Anthony Augustine caught up to the suspect as they both ran out of the woods. Police say Booker then turned and shot Officer Augustine in the left chest area before running towards the West Village Apartments. Officer Augustine, a 5-year veteran of the Ithaca Police Department, underwent a second surgery this morning and is in stable condition. .
After receiving several tips and using K-9's and helicopters in their search police found Booker at an apartment in the 600 Block of Chestnut Street. He was arrested without incident.
Booker was charged with Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer, a Class B Felony and Criminal Use of a Fire Arm First Degree, a Class B-Felony. His bail was set at $500,000.
The investigation into this incident continues. Anyone with information should contact the Investigative Division of the Ithaca Police Department at (607) 272-9973 or the anonymous IPD Tip Line (607) 697-0333.
