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Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation
Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Lewis County
Published: April 02, 2026 at
01:00 p.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS Attorney General’s Office
Attorney General
James’ Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian
Death in Lewis County
NEW YORK – The New York
Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an
investigation into the death of Victor Craighead, who died on March 28, 2026 following an encounter with members of the New York
State Police (NYSP) in the town of Diana, Lewis County.
In the evening
on March 27, NYSP troopers responded to the area of a
mobile home on Alpine Road in Diana following a 911
call. During the early morning hours of March 28,
Mr. Craighead came out of the mobile home armed with a
long gun and fired at troopers who were in an armored vehicle. One
trooper discharged his service weapon,
striking Mr. Craighead.
Mr. Craighead was pronounced dead at the
scene. Officers recovered a long gun at the scene.
Pursuant
to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every
incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer,
including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by
an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty,
and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not
be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an
officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full
investigation of the incident.
These are
preliminary facts and subject to
change.
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