21-Year-Old Cheektowaga Man ‘Tried Killing’ a Sheriff on Sunday

A 21-year-old man from Cheektowaga allegedly tried killing a police officer over the weekend with a knife and even grabbed the officer's gun.

It was 3:30 a.m. on Sunday and a deputy responded to an accident on Route 60 in the Town of Pomfret in Chautauqua County.

The driver was 21-year-old Justin Haffa and was clearly under the influence of alcohol and tried to pin the officer down and kill him with a knife. The officer then got his gun and shot it in self defense, but Haffa was able to get the gun from the officer and fled.

According to WGRZ:

Other assisting police agencies then joined the manhunt for Haffa. A reverse 911 and NY Alert was issued to local residents.The Erie County Sheriff's Air One Helicopter was also called in along with State Police, Fredonia Police, the US Border Patrol and the Chautauqua County Sheriff's SWAT unit. Local fire departments also assisted. Haffa was located at 7:30 and did have the deputy's service weapon when he was arrested.

The man now faces attempted murder and assault charges.