By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – A rape suspect who was shot by police early Wednesday faces several charges as he recovers at the Erie County Medical Center.
Authorities say Michael Urbanski, 30, was shot during a struggle with one of the officers responding to a rape call at 35 Condon Avenue in the city's Riverside neighborhood. The officers chased Urbanski, who lives at 37 Condon, to a driveway on Laird Avenue. There, Urbanski allegedly assaulted Officer Timothy Wagner and tried to grab his gun. Wagner then shot Urbanski in the chest. The other officer involved in the shooting is Roscoe Henderson.
The two officers were placed on administrative leave, which Police Commissioner Rocco Diina said is standard procedure.
"Because of the dramatic situation when officers are involved in something like that, they have been placed on leave for the next tour of duty," Diina said. "We will monitor that."
Urbanski is in critical condition. He faces charges of assaulting a police officer, rape, criminal mischief and resisting arrest.