The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has launched an investigation into the death of Nathan Novakowski in Chemung County. The incident occurred on September 28, 2025, following a response by New York State Police (NYSP) troopers and a Chemung County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputy to a 911 call about a domestic dispute.
According to officials, officers arrived at the residence around 2:58 p.m. and encountered Mr. Novakowski allegedly threatening a woman with scissors. A trooper ordered Mr. Novakowski to drop the scissors, but he did not comply. The trooper then fired his service weapon, striking Mr. Novakowski, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman involved received treatment for minor injuries, and officers recovered a pair of scissors from the location.
Under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI is required to assess any incident reported where a police or peace officer may have caused a person’s death through action or omission. This mandate applies whether the officer is on-duty or off-duty and regardless of whether the decedent was armed or unarmed, in custody, or incarcerated. If OSI determines that an officer may have been responsible for the death, it proceeds with a full investigation.
“These are preliminary facts and subject to change.”
