UPD Releases Body Cam Footage of August 27 Incident

UPD Releases Body Cam Footage of Aug. 27 Incident  

For Immediate Release 

September 6, 2024 

At 12:49 a.m. on Aug. 27, a University Police Department officer on foot attempted to stop a vehicle on Center Drive East on the UAlbany’s Uptown Campus. Earlier in the day, several occupants of the vehicle had been banned from campus for exhibiting threatening and harassing behavior. During the encounter, the vehicle fled and struck the officer, who fired their weapon.  

While the investigation into the incident is ongoing, there are additional details that have been confirmed. We are able to release portions of footage from the officer’s body camera in light of the substantial public interest and the unprecedented nature of an officer using their weapon in the line of duty. The footage has been submitted to the New York State Police, who have provided an annotated clip to highlight critical elements for clarification purposes. UPD is also releasing the original, or native, video as well. 

Both videos depict the seconds of interaction between the vehicle and the officer as recorded from the body camera. The videos capture the following events, which take place simultaneously or in rapid succession: 

• The officer attempted to verbally stop the vehicle.  
• The vehicle attempted to leave the area after being instructed to stop.  
• While the vehicle was in motion it turned toward the immediate path of the officer.  
• The officer discharged two rounds in quick succession.  
• The vehicle struck the officer, causing them to fall to the ground.  
• The vehicle fled the scene.  

Both rounds fired by the officer struck the driver’s side front door of the vehicle in question. While occupants of the vehicle initially reported that they had been shot, no one involved in the incident was struck by the gunshots. This was verified shortly after the occupants of the vehicle were apprehended. The officer and one of the occupants of the car sustained minor injuries during the incident. 

The driver of the vehicle, Anthony Taylor, a 19-year-old male from Albany, NY, was arraigned on Aug. 27 and charged with: 

Attempted Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer (C Felony) 

Assault in the 2^nd Degree (D Felony) 

Reckless Endangerment in the 1^st Degree (D Felony) 

Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the 3^rd Degree (A Misdemeanor) 

Resisting Arrest (A Misdemeanor) 

Obstructing Governmental Administration in the 2^nd Degree (A Misdemeanor) 

Reckless Driving and numerous other traffic violations. 

Two of the three remaining occupants were charged with misdemeanor offenses, and the third was not charged.  

“UPD has never had to use a firearm in the line of duty before and we recognize the significance of this event and the impact it has had on our community. Over the past week we have met with and discussed the incident with our campus community, neighbors and local organizations. These conversations have been incredibly supportive and insightful, and we have appreciated the opportunity to share the department’s response to the incident. We are committed to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation and extend our thanks again to the partner agencies who assisted us in the response and the continuing investigation. The safety of our community – students, faculty, staff, local residents and visitors – is of the utmost importance, and UPD remains dedicated to maintaining an environment where everyone feels safe and welcome,” said UPD Chief Paul C. Burlingame. 

Watch the video of the incident.

  
Paul C. Burlingame 
Chief of Police  

1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222
albany.edu