Cheektowaga Police Shoot Suspect Who Charged Them With Knife

 

Fatal Police Encounter in Buffalo Leaves Suspect Dead

Buffalo, N.Y. — On the morning of August 13, 2025, a routine attempt to execute an arrest warrant escalated into a deadly confrontation on Buffalo’s east side. Officers from the Cheektowaga Police Department (CPD), working in coordination with Buffalo Police, were dispatched to 269 Sanders Road to apprehend a suspect linked to a violent assault that had taken place just two days earlier.

The investigation began on August 11, when Cheektowaga officers responded to reports of a serious assault at a Genesee Street hotel. Based on interviews, evidence, and the severity of the crime, detectives quickly identified a male suspect believed to pose an ongoing threat to public safety. Authorities obtained an arrest warrant and, after gathering additional intelligence, learned that the suspect might be inside an apartment at the Sanders Road address.

Complicating the situation further was the existence of an active court-issued stay-away order of protection. The order prohibited the suspect from being within 100 feet of the Sanders Road residence, as well as within a one-block radius of the property. Officers had reason to believe this order was being violated, and their concerns grew as dispatch relayed new information suggesting the suspect was hiding in apartment four of the building. Given the potential for violence and the risk to neighbors, police moved quickly to the location.

When officers arrived, they attempted to make contact with the individual inside the unit. Instead, they were confronted by 60-year-old Hugh Davis Jr., who suddenly emerged from the apartment armed with a large knife. Witness statements and official reports indicate Davis attempted to stab the officers multiple times in rapid succession. The unexpected and aggressive attack left officers with little time to react.

One officer, positioned closest to Davis, discharged his service pistol in self-defense. According to preliminary reports, three shots were fired at near point-blank range. The gunfire halted the attack, and Davis collapsed almost immediately. Another officer quickly radioed in a “shots fired” call, signaling the seriousness of the situation and requesting urgent backup and medical assistance.

As the tension outside the Sanders Road apartment mounted, officers followed department protocol. Two of them exited the building to retrieve emergency medical kits from their patrol vehicles while others maintained control of the scene. The Cheektowaga Police Department requested support from American Medical Response (AMR) and Buffalo Fire to provide professional medical care as soon as possible.

Before paramedics arrived, officers themselves attempted lifesaving measures on Davis, applying first aid in hopes of reviving him. Despite these efforts, their attempts were unsuccessful. Once AMR and Buffalo Fire crews reached the location, they confirmed that Davis had succumbed to his injuries. He was officially pronounced dead at the scene.

Police officials later confirmed that none of the responding officers sustained physical injuries during the violent altercation. However, the emotional and psychological impact of the incident was evident as investigators and department leaders emphasized the dangers officers face when approaching high-risk situations.

The Cheektowaga Police Department issued a brief statement following the shooting, describing the encounter as “a rapidly evolving incident where officers were forced to make a split-second decision to protect themselves from imminent harm.” The department also confirmed that, consistent with standard procedure, the officer who discharged his weapon has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is reviewed.

Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation, examining both the assault case that prompted the warrant and the circumstances surrounding the fatal use of force. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office has been notified and will oversee parts of the inquiry to ensure transparency.

For now, the Sanders Road neighborhood remains shaken by the sudden eruption of violence. Residents, many of whom heard the shots, have expressed both relief that officers were not harmed and sorrow over the tragic outcome. As one neighbor remarked, “We never expect something like this to happen right outside our door.”

The case underscores the complexities of law enforcement responses when a suspect is considered dangerous and court orders are already in place. While the investigation continues, both Cheektowaga and Buffalo police are urging the community to remain patient as facts are gathered and reviewed.