Name And Details Released In Broome County Highway Shootout
Local News January 30, 2019Details are now being released about a highway shootout that occurred Monday (January 28) night on Route 17 in the Broome County Town of Kirkwood.
State Police at Binghamton now say they received a call just past 6:00 Monday night regarding 30-year-old Nicholas Philhower. He’d stolen his mother’s car and she called Police to have him arrested.
Just before 6:30, Trooper Tim Conklin–a 28-year-veteran–observed Philhower and attempted to pull him over. Police say Philhower immediately took off, driving through a median at the intersection of Interstate-81 and continuing onto Route 17 eastbound.
Shortly thereafter, Police say Philhower stopped his vehicle and immediately opened fire on Trooper Conklin with a military-style semi-automatic rifle through his rear-view window.
A lengthy shootout ensued.
Police say Philhower exited his vehicle and advanced on Trooper Conklin continuing to fire. Conklin was able to return fire through his windshield before exiting his vehicle and continuing to return fire.
He ultimately struck Philhower with two fatal shots
(PHOTO/NYSP–The windshield of Trooper Conklins vehicle with visible bullet holes.)
An autopsy of Philhower’s body was scheduled for this afternoon (January 30).
Miraculously, Trooper Conklin sustained only a minor shrapnel injury to his right arm. He was treated at a nearby hospital.
Investigation of the incident is on-going.
Troopers and investigators are now interviewing multiple witnesses and executing search warrants on the suspect’s vehicle and residence.
