police gunAmherst — Officers responded on October 28. 2025, to a call about a woman allegedly armed with a knife at an apartment complex. The woman was shot by police after reportedly advancing toward officers with the knife and has since been hospitalized. 

Incident Details

According to the police, officers arrived at the Colonie Apartment Complex on Sweet Home Road just after 2 p.m. following reports of a woman wielding a knife and behaving in a threatening manner. 

When officers made contact, the woman allegedly charged at them with the knife. One officer fired, striking the woman. She was transported to the hospital—officials say she was in stable condition as of the initial report.

The local district attorney’s office has been notified and an investigation has been opened. 

Legal Oversight and Use-of-Force Standards

Because this is a use-of-force incident involving law enforcement, applicable standards under New York and federal law will guide the review. Under New York State Criminal Procedure Law § 35.15, officers may use physical force (including deadly force) only when they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend themselves or others from what they reasonably view as an unlawful threat of deadly physical force or other forcible felony.

Investigators must determine whether:

  • The woman’s alleged actions reasonably justified the officer’s perception of imminent threat

  • De-escalation or non-lethal alternatives were feasible under the circumstances

  • Department protocols, training, and state legal standards were followed

If the force is found to have been excessive or unjustified, affected individuals may have grounds for civil-rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

Seeking Accountability for Officer-Involved Shootings

If you witnessed this incident, were nearby, or seek to understand your rights following a law-enforcement use-of-force event:

1. Request Public Records

You can request the incident report, body-worn-camera and patrol-vehicle footage, dispatch logs and 911 recordings, forensic reports, and any investigative files.

2. Preserve Any Evidence You Have

Make note of your exact time and location, what you saw or heard, your vantage point, and any photos or videos you recorded.

3. Consult a Civil-Rights Attorney

If you believe force used was excessive, protocols were ignored, or constitutional rights violated, legal avenues may be available.
 If you or a loved one has been impacted by a police-involved shooting such as this one, contact The Sehat Law Firm at (949) 825-5200 for a free consultation, or complete the form at the bottom of this page to speak with our legal team.

Legal Disclaimer:
 This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us and we will update or remove the post as needed.