State Police returned fire, wounding Larry J Schoonover before arresting him
On August 20, 2023, at approximately 8:00 p.m., troopers from SP Bath responded to 6664 Roosevelt Avenue in the town of Bath for a 51-year-old male suspect, Larry J. Schoonover, who had discharged a long gun subsequent to being involved in a domestic dispute.
Upon arrival of patrols, the suspect continued to fire shots from within the residence and also fired shots outside of the residence in the direction of law enforcement members on the scene. Law enforcement returned fire as a result and a shelter-in-place notification was sent out to all area residents.
Crisis Negotiators and the NYSP Special Operation Response Team (S.O.R.T.) responded to the scene. During attempts to negotiate, over the course of several hours, Schoonover continued to discharge his weapon inside and outside of the residence. Shortly after 1:00 a.m., Schoonover exited his residence, walked into the backyard armed with a shotgun, and failed to comply with the lawful commands of troopers who were maintaining their position on a perimeter. Schoonover raised the shotgun and fired at the troopers. The troopers returned fire, striking the suspect in his lower extremity, and took him into custody. EMS responded to the scene to provide medical attention. Schoonover was then airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital for further medical treatment.
The State Police were assisted at the scene by the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, the Steuben County CERT team, the Bath Police Department, Bath Ambulance, Bath AMR, the Bath Fire Department, Bath VA Emergency Services, and LifeNet 7-7.
New York State Police assets that responded included the Criminal Bureau of Investigation, Violent Crime Investigative Team, Crisis Negotiators, Special Operations Response Team, NYSP K-9, UAS members, and the Bomb Disposal Unit.
On August 24, 2023, Schoonover was charged with two counts of Attempted Murder 1st – Police Officer (A Felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd (D Felony), and Reckless Endangerment 1st (D Felony). He was arraigned at Strong Memorial Hospital and remanded with no bail. Schoonover is set to reappear on September 13, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.
This investigation remains ongoing.
