State Police identify man they'd like to question following trooper stabbing at Empire State Plaza
State Police have released a name and photos of a person they'd like to question following the stabbing of a state trooper Sunday afternoon at the Empire State Plaza. From the press release:
State Police and Albany Police officials are currently searching for Eric L. Green, 18, date of birth February 7, 1995, for questioning in conjunction with the assault and stabbing which occurred on March 3, 2013 on the concourse of the Empire State Plaza on Trooper Rodney L. Smith.
Green's current address is unknown but he does have ties to the Grand Street area in the City of Albany. Officials are asking anyone who might have seen him or know of his whereabouts to contact 518-474-5330 with any information.
Full press release post jump.
State Police say Smith was stabbed in the neck with steak knife around 3:15 pm. NYSP says the attacker had struck up a conversation with Smith, and while Smith was looking at the man's ID, the man stabbed him. Smith was taken to Albany Med and is expected to recover.
The incident prompted an intensive search in the area surrounding the ESP. And of this afternoon, NYSP say they haven't found the man. [TU]
photo via New York State Police
NYSP: Officials searching for man who assaulted and stabbed Trooper
Latham, NY- March 4, 2013
State Police and Albany Police officials are currently searching for Eric L. Green, 18, date of birth February 7, 1995, for questioning in conjunction with the assault and stabbing which occurred on March 3, 2013 on the concourse of the Empire State Plaza on Trooper Rodney L. Smith.
Green's current address is unknown but he does have ties to the Grand Street area in the City of Albany. Officials are asking anyone who might have seen him or know of his whereabouts to contact 518-474-5330 with any information.
On March 3, 2013 at approximately 3:15 PM, a New York State Trooper on foot patrol on the Concourse of the Empire State Plaza in Albany was assaulted by an individual and resulted in the Trooper suffering from stab wounds.
Trooper Rodney L. Smith, a 15 year veteran of the New York State Police was approached by an individual who began a conversation with the Trooper regarding being new in town and not knowing anyone in the area. Trooper Smith was in the process of checking the subject's identification when he was struck in the neck on the left side with a steak knife.
A brief struggle ensued with the Trooper able to fend off the assailant but he also suffered an additional puncture wound to the right side of his neck, his face, and numerous superficial wounds to hands and arms. The unknown subject was able to remove the Trooper's radio and fled the scene on foot. Trooper Smith was able to call for help using a cell phone.
Trooper Smith remains in stable condition at Albany Medical Center Hospital and is expected to fully recover.
"Our troopers can find themselves in dangerous and sometimes life threatening situations on any given day. Fortunately Trooper Smith is expected to make a full recovery, said State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico. State Police are working with the Albany Police Department as well as other area law enforcement to identify the individual responsible for this senseless attack. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Smith's family."
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Comments
Well it's obviously time our Governor gets back into action and outlaws steak knives. It's unbelievable that in 2013 people are allowed to own and carry steak knives. What a backward country we live in!
... said John Smithers on Mar 4, 2013 at 7:59 PM | link
Our prayers go out to Trooper Smith and his family. The New York State Troopers and Albany Police sacrifice their lives on a daily basis so that we are able to raise our families and live our lives safely, With sincere gratitude, THANK YOU.
... said Joyce Johansson and Family on Mar 4, 2013 at 8:16 PM | link
My prayers go out to trooper smith and family. We are outraged at this attack. All law enforcement will pull together and put this guy behind bars where he belongs.
... said thomas on Mar 5, 2013 at 6:41 AM | link
Is the Empire State Plaza a "Steak Knife Free Zone" ?
Was it a "legally owned" steak knife ?
What about the children ?
... said Spyder on Mar 5, 2013 at 7:25 AM | link
@spyder and smithers
Your comments aren't only stupid, they're in incredibly bad taste; how about instead offering your well wishes to the injured trooper and his family.
... said Seriously on Mar 5, 2013 at 9:22 AM | link
Can we please cut the snarky comments on the dangers of the steak knives? You are not funny and if the criminal that did this had a gun rather than a steak knife the trooper may not be in stable condition right now.
My thoughts are with the state trooper and his family. The state troopers at the ESP have always been friendly and helpful to me and my thoughts have been with all of them since Sunday.
... said Lauren on Mar 5, 2013 at 9:24 AM | link
snarky comments on the dangers of the steak knives
... said Centersquared on Mar 5, 2013 at 11:28 AM | link
It blows my mind that gun nut after gun nut responds to this by saying sarcastically "well we better outlaw steak knives". Do you really not see if this nut had a gun that trooper would be dead??? Go join a well-regulated militia and be quick about it.
... said lucy on Mar 6, 2013 at 9:17 AM | link