Drug Suspect Shot By Police ID'd

Nassau County Police have identified the man who, in a failed attempt to escape police during a drug investigation, was shot by an officer Monday night in Lattingtown.

Leo Duchnowski, 22, of Oyster Bay, now faces charges of assault, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Police say they stopped Duchnowski’s vehicle at a traffic stop near 99 Horse Hollow Road at about 10 p.m., where officers were conducting a drug investigation. 

According to police, as one officer approached the car, Duchnowski attempted to flee in his car, which struck the officer and knocked him to the ground. Then Duchnowski put the car in reverse, attempting to get away, while the officer lay on the ground, police say. The officer fired his weapon, striking Duchnowski.

The officer, who is a member of the Bureau of Special Operations Criminal Intelligence Rapid Response Team, was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated for a knee injury and released. His name has not been released. Police had told Newsday that he had feared for his safety.

Duchnowski was also taken to a local hospital, where he was admitted and is listed in stable condition.

Duchnowski is charged with second degree assault, second degree reckless endangerment, three counts of seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree.

Police say he will be arraigned when practical.