NATHAN J. NOVAKOWSKI DIES IN FATAL CHEMUNG SHOOTING
Fatal CHEMUNG SHOOTING death of Nathan J. Novakowski
An 18-year-old individual from Chemung County met his demise on Sunday, September 28th, following a law enforcement intervention in a domestic dispute occurring in Chemung. State Police and a Chemung County Sheriff’s deputy arrived at Rotary Road around 3 p.m. that day responding to reports of an active physical disturbance within a residence.
Upon their arrival, the responding officer encountered a female occupant facing a threat from a male suspect brandishing scissors. The suspect, later identified as Nathan J. Novakowski, initially ignored commands to relinquish the dangerous implement and subsequently escalated the situation by attempting to inflict a stab wound on the woman. In response to this aggressive act, the trooper employed lethal force, resulting in the fatal injury to Novakowski.
The female victim suffered only minor injuries and received immediate medical attention from responding emergency medical services personnel. Chemung County authorities subsequently transported her for further evaluation, though no details regarding her ongoing condition were released.
The incident has triggered a mandatory investigation by both the New York State Police Criminal Investigation Division and the New York State Attorney General’s Office, as required by state statutes concerning the use of deadly force by peace officers. No further immediate updates have been provided regarding the status of this ongoing probe.
The use of force protocols and procedures are being reviewed as part of this standard investigative process following any fatal law enforcement encounter. Standard operating procedures for domestic incident response remain under review by departmental officials and oversight bodies.
