Jose Hernandez-Rossy, 26

Buffalo, New York
May 07, 2017

Agencies: Office of the Attorney General New York | Buffalo Police Department New York

Cause of death: Shooting


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Overview

The family of the man who was killed during an altercation with Buffalo Police held a vigil for him in Black Rock tonight. During the gathering, an attorney who once represented 26-year-old Jose Hernandez-Rossy in a family court case began raising doubts about what exactly happened between Buffalo Police and Jose Hernandez-Rossy Sunday night.

Attorney Nelson Torre is conducting an independent investigation into the events of Sunday night. Eyewitnesses claim they only heard two shots coming from the officer's gun as Hernandez-Rossy ran away from officers Justin Tedesco and Joe Acquino, Torre says. This happened on Garfield street. Family members believe Hernandez-Rossy's body is at Erie County Medical Center, but say they have not yet seen it.

Torre expects autopsy results to answer some crucial questions. "There's some troubling aspects to the case and as the family has indicated, they do want justice, "Torre said. "They want the authorities to do a complete investigation and more than that can't be asked." Hernandez-Rossy's sister - Yaira Hernandez - says he was a good father two his young daughters, and just gained full custody of his children last week. He was a great son, he was my best friend," she said. "He would do anything for his kids and his family. They took his life away."

Buffalo Police have not yet recovered a weapon from the scene, according to Torre. Buffalo Police maintain Hernandez-Rossy did fire at the officers and one of those shots hit officer Acquino in the ear area. The incident remains under investigation.

Legal Action

In January 2018, A report by the Attorney General’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit states that Buffalo Police Officers Justin Tedesco and Joseph Acquino did not act criminally when Tedesco shot and killed 26-year-old Jose Hernandez-Rossy.

Community and Family Efforts

May 2017 Vigil held

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