Police investigate tragic shooting

OLD FORGE, N.Y. (WIVB) - A local police officer has shot and killed his own son. This, after he reportedly mistook him for an intruder.

Monday morning police are investigating a tragedy. Investigators say a Wyoming County Police Officer shot and killed his own son.

They say, 59 year old Village of Perry Officer Michael Leach was sleeping just before 1 a.m. Saturday when he was suddenly awakened by someone trying to get into his room at a motel in Old Forge.

He told police he thought it was an intruder. He fired a one shot and it struck his 37-year-old son Matthew.

Police say the son was just returning to the room he and his dad were sharing. Dan Rivet performed CPR on Matthew to try to revive him, but nothing helped.

Rivet says his dad was distraught when he realized he shot his son.

“Everybody said he's a really nice guy and he was really close to his son. It's just really sad to understand what could of happened,” said Dan Rivet, owner of Clark’s Beach Motel.

State Police say Leach called 911 right after the shooting. Police believe this is just a case of mistaken identity.