(WNY News Now) – DUNKIRK, N.Y. — A 39-year-old Dunkirk man is facing an attempted murder charge after a police officer was shot during the execution of a search warrant, leading to a hostage situation and hours-long standoff, authorities said.
According to the Dunkirk Police Department, the incident occurred around 6:25 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at a residence on Franklin Avenue. Members of the Southern Tier Regional Task Force were executing a search warrant related to an ongoing narcotics investigation when the situation escalated.
Officials said the department’s Special Response Team (SRT) entered the home when the suspect, identified as Christopher M. Marcinkowski, allegedly fired a weapon, striking an officer in the chest. The officer’s ballistic vest stopped the round, preventing life-threatening injuries. The officer was transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital for evaluation and later released.
Photo By Dunkirk PD
Following the shooting, police said Marcinkowski barricaded himself inside the residence and took a female hostage. Negotiations with crisis teams continued for approximately seven hours before Marcinkowski exited the home with the hostage and surrendered without further incident.
Authorities report that Marcinkowski is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, with prior state and federal prison sentences related to firearm and drug offenses.
In coordination with the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office, Marcinkowski has been charged with Attempted Murder in the First Degree, in addition to three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.
He was arraigned in Dunkirk City Court and remanded to the Chautauqua County Jail without bail on the attempted murder charge. Bail previously set on the weapon charges was increased to $1 million. The case was heard before Dunkirk City Court Judge Kuzdale.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials indicated that additional federal charges are expected. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Police credited multiple agencies for their response, including the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown and Fredonia police departments, New York State Police, SWAT teams, crisis negotiators, and emergency services personnel. Authorities also thanked a local business, Ellman’s Garage, for providing support during the incident.
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