Vestal Police Detail Circumstances Surrounding Fatal Shooting

More information has been released about what occurred at a Vestal home that resulted in police officers shooting a 38-year-old man.

The Vestal Police Department Friday provided details about the situation that led to the death of Eslam Hegazy on February 25.

According to a news release, police officers were sent to a Sequoia Lane residence around 11:40 a.m. after someone reported a man armed with a knife was experiencing "a psychiatric episode."

The first officer to arrive at the home was advised by the caller that Hegazy had a knife as he walked toward the backyard making suicidal statements. He was reported to have said he was "going to leave this earth."

Police officers observed Hegazy in a wooded area behind the home. The report indicates he ignored repeated orders to drop the knife.

Hegazy allegedly moved toward two officers with the knife raised above his head. Police drew their guns and repeated commands for Hegazy to drop the knife.

The officers fired a total of four taser cartridges to try subdue the man. One deployment caused Hegazy to fall but he managed to hold onto the knife and stood up.

Police continued to direct him to drop the knife. Hegazy removed a flat screen television from the home's garage. According to the report, he was still holding the knife when he "advanced on officers once again and three the flat screen television at an officer." The officer was struck while trying to deflect the television away from his head.

When a third officer arrived at the residence, another taser was deployed. Hegazy then raised the knife toward that officer who fell on the snow-covered ground. The man then turned toward another officer and advanced while raising the knife above his head.

Two officers fired their guns at Hegazy. After he was wounded, police provided aid until medics arrived. He was transported to Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City where he was pronounced dead.

According to the Vestal police summary, about two-and-a-half minutes elapsed from "the time of initial contact to the discharge of firearms. During that time, officers "issued 42 commands for Hegazy to drop the knife."

The New York State Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation is continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: Sequoia Lane in Vestal shortly after the shooting of Eslam Hegazy on February 25, 2026.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @bobjoseph.bsky.social on Bluesky or @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.