Syracuse, N.Y. – Tragedy struck Central New York when a shooter took the lives of two law enforcement officers in a devastating incident. The perpetrator, Christopher R. Murphy, utilized various parts to assemble an illegal assault weapon, per the Onondaga County DA. On Sunday night, Murphy unleashed gunfire that claimed the lives of Onondaga County Sheriff’s Lt. Michael Hoosock and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen before being fatally shot by responding officers.
Reports indicate that the firearm Murphy wielded was identified as a Springfield AR-15, an illegally modified assortment of parts, as revealed by District Attorney William Fitzpatrick. It was disclosed that if Murphy had opted to purchase an AR-15 in New York, stringent permit requirements and background checks would have been necessary. However, by constructing the weapon from individual components, he circumvented these legal prerequisites, Fitzpatrick disclosed.
Authorities discovered that Murphy lawfully obtained a lower barrel receiver in 2019 but proceeded to add additional components, including a protruding pistol grip, rendering the gun illegal in New York state. Subsequent investigations highlighted that the gun lacked a fixed magazine, which further violated state laws. It was also noted that the magazine utilized was an oversized “banana clip” capable of holding 40 rounds, far exceeding the state’s legal limit of 10 rounds.
Moreover, Sheriff Toby Shelley revealed the existence of a second AR-15 rifle at Murphy’s Darien Drive residence, possibly belonging to his father. The discovery raised questions about the legality of firearms ownership within the household, prompting ongoing inquiries by law enforcement officials. These revelations underscore the growing concern surrounding individuals customizing firearms to bypass existing gun regulations and laws, potentially endangering public safety.
In a tragic parallel, a similar incident involving firearm modifications was reported in Buffalo earlier this year. Payton S. Gendron carried out a shooting at a local market using a modified gun, showcasing a concerning trend in unlawful weapon alterations. The prevalence of such practices underscores the need for stricter oversight and regulation to prevent future tragedies from occurring.
As investigations into the circumstances surrounding the Central New York shooting continue, authorities are navigating the complex web of legalities and loopholes that perpetrators exploit to obtain and modify firearms. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in addressing gun violence and underscores the critical importance of enforcing existing gun laws to safeguard communities from such devastating events.