Rome, NY -- An Oneida County sheriff's deputy was wounded this morning after he exchanged gunfire with a bank robbery suspect on Route 49, Undersheriff Peter Paravati said. Deputy Michael Burger was taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his lower right leg. About 9:34 a.m., the NBT bank on Black River Boulevard in Rome was reported...
Rome, NY -- An Oneida County sheriff's deputy was wounded this morning after he exchanged gunfire with a bank robbery suspect on Route 49, Undersheriff Peter Paravati said.
Deputy Michael Burger was taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his lower right leg.
About 9:34 a.m., the NBT bank on Black River Boulevard in Rome was reported robbed, Paravati said. Two suspects fled the bank, he said.
Shortly after that, Burger pulled over the suspect's car on Route 49, east of Rome, Paravati said. Burger took one suspect into custody and the second suspect ran from the vehicle.
Burger began chasing the suspect and both fired gunshots, with Burger taking a bullet in the leg, Paravati said.
The Utica Observer-Dispatch identified the suspect as Brian Brown, 31, on its Website.
Paravati said it is unknown whether Burger hit the suspect with his gun. The second suspect is still at large and deputies, troopers and local police are hunting for him now.
This took place near the SUNYIT campus, Paravati said. It is reported that the campus is now on lock down. Businesses in the area have also been warned about the armed suspect, Paravati said.
Paravati credited Burger with "good police work" in recognizing the car and pulling it over.