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Friendly Fire Responsible for Trooper's Death

By Mark Scott

Albany, NY – Officials say friendly fire killed a New York State trooper as he searched a farmhouse Wednesday for a suspect in the shooting of another trooper the day before.

Trooper David Brinkerhoff, a member of the force's elite mobile response team, was shot as he and another trooper went into a farmhouse where they believed the suspect was holed up.

Acting State Police Superintendent Preston Felton said the fatal wound was made from a round believed to have been fired by a fellow team member. The suspect in the case, 23-year-old Travis Trim, was found dead with a rifle after fire destroyed the home.

Shot along with Brinkerhoff was Trooper Richard Mattson, who was wounded in the left arm and survived.