Syracuse, N.Y. - Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick announced today that two officers involved in a New Years Eve shooting have been cleared.
A Grand jury has deemed that Syracuse Police officers, Brandon Hanks and Joseph LeBlanc were justified in the New Years Eve shooting of Michale Viola. Police responded to a call 707 Grant Boulevard. They found the 22 year old and tried to subdue him with a taser thats when he charged at the officers with a hatchet and the officers opened fire.
Viola survived and is being charged with three (3) counts of Menacing a Police Officer; three (3) counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree; and one (1) count of Menacing in the Second Degree pertaining to a civilian at the scene.
Viola is currently being held in the Onondaga County Justice Center on $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond