New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has released a Notification of Investigative Findings concerning the death of Hugh Davis, who died on August 13, 2025, after an encounter with officers from the Cheektowaga Police Department in Buffalo.
According to the OSI, officers arrived at Mr. Davis’ apartment around 12:35 p.m. to arrest him for an alleged assault that had occurred earlier in Cheektowaga. The officers announced themselves and knocked on the door several times. After repeated knocking, the door panel fell into the apartment. Mr. Davis then lunged through the doorway beneath the fallen panel holding a knife and began swinging it at the officers.
The report states that Mr. Davis stumbled and rolled, nearly swiping one officer with the knife as police repeatedly instructed him to drop it. When he did not comply, an officer discharged his service weapon, striking Mr. Davis, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A large kitchen knife was recovered by officers.
The incident was recorded on body-worn cameras used by responding officers.
Following its investigation, OSI concluded that “a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officer’s use of deadly physical force was justified under the law.” The office stated that a final Investigation Report will be issued later.
Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI reviews all incidents where a police or peace officer may have caused a person’s death by action or omission. If their assessment indicates possible involvement by an officer in causing a death, OSI conducts a full investigation.
“In cases where the evidence and legal analysis are clear and the investigation is complete, OSI may issue a Notification of Investigative Findings announcing the conclusion of the investigation,” according to OSI. “In such cases, OSI will issue the final Investigation Report, as required by law, at a later date.”
