New York Cleared Troopers in Fatal Shooting Case
The Attorney General's office declined to charge state troopers involved in the 2024 death of an armed suspect.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Law Enforcement
The New York Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation has cleared state police officers of criminal charges regarding the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Ali Ali. Officers shot the suspect after a high-speed vehicle pursuit that ended in a crash near Woodbury.
Why it matters
The decision follows a comprehensive investigation into the police-involved shooting that occurred after the suspect allegedly stabbed a 50-year-old laundromat employee in Brooklyn. The office released bodycam footage in December 2024 to provide transparency regarding the incident.
The Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation officially declined to file charges against the state police officers involved. The investigation concluded following a review of incident reports and bodycam footage.
The players
New York Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation
This state agency is responsible for investigating incidents where a police officer's actions may have caused the death of a person.
Ali Ali
The 37-year-old suspect was involved in a stabbing incident and a subsequent police pursuit that ended in his death.
The details
Ali Ali led state troopers on a chase along the New York State Thruway in a stolen 2021 Chevy Equinox before crashing near mile marker 49. After the vehicle fire started, the suspect fled into a wooded area in Highland Mills carrying a knife, where he was fatally shot by troopers after refusing commands.
Timeline
September 18, 2024: Ali Ali allegedly stabbed an employee and stole a vehicle.
September 18, 2024: Troopers shot and killed Ali Ali in Woodbury.
December 2024: The Attorney General's office released bodycam footage.
October 1, 2026: The Attorney General announced no charges for the officers.
Legal Context
The investigation was conducted under the mandate of New York Executive Law Section 70-b, which requires the Attorney General to independently investigate all police-involved civilian deaths. This process reflects the state's efforts to maintain transparency in use-of-force cases.
Residents and business owners in the Woodbury and Highland Mills areas may review the findings to understand the closure of this local incident. The public release of bodycam footage serves as the final step in the state's formal investigative process for this case.
The takeaway
The conclusion of this case highlights the state's role in conducting independent reviews of police use-of-force incidents. Citizens are encouraged to rely on official disclosures from the Attorney General regarding the details of such investigations.
Further reading
Learn more about oversight protocols at the Law Enforcement section.
