James Tighe Cushman Obituary, Death – Orchard Park Police have confirmed that the man fatally shot by officers on Friday was James Tighe Cushman. The incident occurred around 8:50 p.m. at Hawthorne Drive and Poplar Avenue after Cushman called 911, claiming his mother had a gun and that he was armed with a knife. He reportedly told the dispatcher he was “going out with a bang.”
When the first officer arrived, Cushman allegedly charged at him with a knife. After retreating, the officer repeatedly told Cushman to drop the weapon, but Cushman returned to his driveway, expressing frustration that the officer hadn’t shot him. A second officer arrived, and Cushman rushed them again before backing off. He then put the knife down but picked it up again and charged at the officers when a third officer arrived. At that point, the officers shot Cushman seven times. A struggle ensued, but Cushman was eventually subdued, and officers attempted to provide medical care. EMS arrived shortly after.
The officers involved, Thomas Fowler and Tanner Till, are on administrative leave and cooperating with the investigation. The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation has begun its inquiry into the shooting. The police chief postponed a press conference at the request of Cushman’s family, who had reviewed doorbell video and the 911 call.
Police had prior interactions with Cushman, primarily related to mental health concerns. Just the week before, officers responded to his home after he claimed to hear noises in his attic, but he did not meet the criteria for a mental health arrest.