Syracuse Neighborhood Shaken as Police Confront Active Shooter, Leaving 42-Year-Old Dead
In the quiet of a Syracuse evening, the sound of gunfire shattered the peace on North Townsend Street, leaving a community grappling with loss and questions. At approximately 9:54 p.m. on May 13, 2025, Syracuse Police Department officers responded to urgent reports of shots fired at a building in the 200 block of this North Side neighborhood. What they encountered was a volatile and dangerous situation—an active shooter inside the Moses Dewitt House apartments, a residence operated by Christopher Community for low- and moderate-income families and seniors. The suspect, later identified as 42-year-old Donnell Hogan, was actively discharging a firearm, forcing officers into a confrontation that would end in tragedy.
As officers entered the building, they were met with immediate gunfire from Hogan, who authorities say was wielding a handgun. In the tense moments that followed, a brief but intense exchange of gunfire unfolded. Hogan was struck and pronounced dead at the scene, bringing a swift end to the immediate threat but leaving behind a complex web of questions about what led to this fatal encounter. The Syracuse Police Department, in a statement, did not specify whether Hogan was killed by officer gunfire, noting only that a handgun was recovered at the scene. This ambiguity has fueled early speculation, though officials have urged the public to await the findings of a thorough investigation.
The New York State Attorney General’s Office, as mandated by state law, has launched a preliminary assessment of the incident. Under Executive Law Section 70-b, the office is required to investigate any death potentially caused by law enforcement actions, ensuring transparency and accountability in officer-involved shootings. As of the morning following the incident, the 200 block of North Townsend Street remained cordoned off, with five police vehicles and three crime scene vans stationed at the scene. Hawley Avenue, adjacent to the apartment complex, was closed from North Townsend to North McBride Street, as investigators meticulously processed the area, focusing on the back courtyard of the Moses Dewitt House.
The Syracuse Police Department, led by spokesperson Kieran Coffey, emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages. Authorities are reviewing evidence, including body-worn camera footage, witness statements, and ballistic reports, to piece together the sequence of events. Coffey confirmed that officers were dispatched after Onondaga County 911 Center received reports of three distinct gunshots, underscoring the urgency of the response. The department has appealed to the public for information, encouraging anyone with details to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at (315) 442-5222.
This incident marks another chapter in Syracuse’s ongoing struggle with gun violence and the challenges faced by law enforcement in high-pressure situations. The Moses Dewitt House, a place meant to provide stability for vulnerable residents, became the backdrop for a deadly encounter that has left neighbors shaken. Community members, speaking anonymously to local media, expressed grief over the loss of life and concern about the safety of their neighborhood. For many, the event is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in areas already burdened by socioeconomic hardship.
As the investigation unfolds, the Syracuse Police Department and the Attorney General’s Office face the task of providing answers to a grieving community. What prompted Hogan to fire his weapon? Was there an opportunity to de-escalate before the exchange of gunfire? These questions, among others, will guide the inquiry as authorities work to ensure justice and clarity. For now, the city mourns, and North Townsend Street stands as a somber testament to a night that changed lives forever. The police have assured residents that there is no ongoing threat, but the emotional scars of this tragedy will linger, urging Syracuse to reflect on the deeper issues at play.
