Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of Hugh Davis

October 9, 2025

NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today released body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Hugh Davis, who died on August 13, 2025 following an encounter with Cheektowaga Police Department (CPD) officers in Buffalo.

At approximately 12:45 p.m. on August 13, CPD officers were attempting to arrest Mr. Davis at his apartment for allegedly committing a previous assault in Cheektowaga. As an officer knocked on the door of Mr. Davis' apartment, the door panel fell into the apartment. Mr. Davis came through the door, holding a knife in his hand, and nearly struck an officer. A CPD officer discharged his service weapon, striking Mr. Davis. Mr. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers recovered a large kitchen-type knife at the scene.

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General's Office released footage from body-worn cameras that troopers were equipped with during the incident. The release of this footage follows Attorney General James' directive that camera footage obtained by her office during an OSI investigation be released to the public to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.

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.

The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime.

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