Two Syracuse officers killed in quiet neighborhood

What was seemingly a quiet Sunday night in Syracuse, New York quickly turned into one of the deadliest in 30 years as two police officers were killed on Apr. 13, 2024. The incident occurred after the two officers attempted to pull over a gray Honda Civic on a peaceful street in the city. The driver of the vehicle disregarded the officers and drove away, but only after they had obtained the license plate number, allowing them to track the car. 

The car was then discovered parked in front of a house in the town of Salina, where police looked inside the car window and reported that, according to The New York Times, “AR-15 magazines [were] in the back of his car.” The officer then continued on the radio with, “‘We hear racking coming from the house.’” Once it was known to the two officers that a loaded gun was nearby, they called for backup. From there, with assistance from the Onondaga County sheriff’s deputies, they attempted to develop a plan.

One of the deputies, Lieutenant Michael Hoosock, 37, went to watch the house behind a neighbor's maple tree before a figure appeared behind the house holding an assault rifle. Neighbors around the area became frightened as they heard gunshots, and according to The New York Times, “Neighbors ducked for cover in their homes. A bullet punched through a wall in Mr. Alzokari’s [a neighbor's] living room, where his family had just been sitting.” 

Unfortunately, Lt. Hoosock, who had a wife and three children under the age of eight, was shot and unable to return fire. After shooting once, the figure moved toward the front of the house before shooting 29-year-old officer Michael Jensen.

 The dark figure with the assault rifle was later identified as 33-year-old Christopher Murphy, only after he was shot and killed by the remaining officers. Both officers—Michael Hoosock and Michael Jensen—later died from their injuries. 

Numerous details have come out about Christopher Murphy and the moments leading up to the incident. Murphy, born in 1990, has three triplet brothers and a sister who lived on Darien Drive, the street where the car was found, for most of their lives. Neighbors and friends knew Murphy excelled at mechanics and got a job at Syracuse's JMA Wireless, a company that provides internet service. Trouble seemingly arose, however, when Murphy developed a cocaine addiction. 

On the night of the officer's deaths, Murphy had been drinking and using cocaine, as reported to The New York Times by the Onodanaga district attorney, William J. Fitzpatrick. Murphy was accompanied by his long-time neighborhood friend, NaKeem Williams, and as Murphy sped through traffic while driving under the influence; Williams became increasingly uncomfortable and ended up calling a car service to drive him the rest of the way. Murphy’s continued influence while driving to his home seems to be what led to him initially being pulled over by the two officers. 

When attempting to escape the officers, Murphy called another friend, Shawn Kinsella, who picked him up at his house and then returned home. At 8:30 p.m., when the officers arrived at Darien Drive, Kinsella saw Murphy grab an assault rifle, and Murphy told him to leave the area. Kinsella ran far away from Murphy through the back door before the tragedy occurred, leaving friends, family, and others shocked by Murphy’s actions and the deaths of both officers. 

As of now, the incident is still being investigated, and Murphy’s motive is being questioned, as none of his friends or family have ever heard him speak poorly about law enforcement. As reported to The New York Times, Williams stated, “In my 32 years on this earth, I would never think he would do this. Ever,” continuing with, "There's something we’re all missing in this story. There has to be.” 

On Monday, Apr. 22, 2024, there were funeral services for Michael Hoosock at the State Fair Expo Center in Syracuse, New York. The funeral service for the second officer, Michael Jensen, took place on Saturday, Apr. 20, at the St. John Baptist Church in his hometown of Rome, New York. 

Many Syracuse natives have shared their condolences for the officers' families and friends who may be affected, as this has been a sensitive time for both groups.