NY Policeman shoots and kills son because he 'thought he was an intruder'

Michael Leach

A New York police officer killed his son after thinking he was an intruder and shooting him.

Michael Leach, of Rochester, was staying at the Clark Beach Motel in Old Forge, Wyoming County.

The 59-year-old and his son were part of a group of police officers who had driven to the area on motorcycles for a long-weekend getaway.

'It was just a group of guys coming to have a good time,' motel owner Dan Rivet Jr told uticaod.com.

'We have very little violence in Old Forge.'

Leach was disturbed by someone coming into his room shortly after midnight.

Believing the disturbance to be an intruder Leach grabbed his police department-issued .45-caliber Glock handgun and opened fire.

After realising his error the 59-year-old called 911 and reported the shooting.

37-year-old Matthew Leach was pronounced dead at St Elizabeth's Hospital and his father was taken to St Luke's Hospital for mental support.

Rivet, who also works as a paramedic, told whec.com: 'I've been working with EMS for over 50 years and I've never had a tragedy like this happen.

'I've seen a lot of things happen but this is just horrible. It's very very tragic. We worked hard to resuscitate him but we failed. We did our best.'

The Rochester Police Department this afternoon issued a statement expressing 'its deepest sympathy to the Leach family over the tragic loss of Matthew Leach.

'We ask that everyone keep the Leach family in their thoughts and prayers.'

An investigation is ongoing.