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Police: Off-Duty Albany Cop Solicits Prostitute, Kills Syracuse Man In Utica

WAMC photo by Dave Lucas

An Albany city police officer has been placed on administrative leave following a fatal off-duty shooting in Utica.

The Utica Police Department says 34-year-old Albany Police Officer Christofer Kitto was involved in a shooting incident early Monday morning, as Kitto allegedly attempted to patronize a prostitute. Utica Police Sergeant Michael Curley tells WAMC 35-year old Shatelle Hooks of Syracuse threatened Kitto with a knife.   "Based on witness interviews as well as evidence on the scene we believe that Kitto then drew a semi-automatic pistol and discharged it at Mr. Hooks several times, ultimately striking him, causing his death."

Sgt. Curley says for the time being, the incident is classified as a "justifiable homicide."  Albany police say they are fully cooperating with the investigation.

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
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