Some Malta residents still displaced after bullet hits pipe in police-involved shooting

MALTA, N.Y. (WRGB) - CBS6 learned some residents still can't return to their homes at the Ellsworth Apartment Complex after a stray bullet hit a pipe Thursday and flooded several units, following a deadly police stand-off.

Investigators say New York State Police and Saratoga County Sheriff's Deputies shot and killed 37-year-old Brandon Moore after he barricaded himself in a unit in Building 2, refused to cooperate, and then pointed what appeared to be a handgun at officers. Police had answered a call about a domestic violence incident.

Monday, residents told CBS6 they heard a burst of around 6 to 8 shots. Investigators later revealed Moore was holding a BB gun. An image of the "imitation weapon" was released by New York State Police.

Monday morning, Malta Code enforcement officer Erika Mitchell told CBS6 a "stray bullet hit a water pipe that feeds that sprinkler system." Mitchell says the sprinklers did not activate. All of the flooding was caused by the burst pipe. Mitchell says the pipe was repaired by Friday morning. Monday afternoon, crews could be seen removing bags of debris.

The victim involved in the domestic violence incident was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

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Monday, a resident who did not want to speak on camera told CBS6 she was informed by management it could be another five days before she is allowed back into her apartment. She says she lives on the 3rd floor and had water pooling in her ceiling. She says her carpet and floorboards also need to be ripped out. She says damage in several other units is "a lot worse." Residents say they are being told to contact their renter's insurance. In the meantime, she says she's paying for a hotel.

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CBS6 reached out to the Ellsworth management office to ask if displaced residents would be receiving any additional help with lodging or repairs. As of this publication, we have not heard back. A resident told CBS6 they are being told to call their renter's insurance, which is required by the apartment complex.

Thursday's shooting marked the second fatal officer-involved shooting in the Saratoga County town in less than 24 hours. Wednesday, about a half-a-mile-away, troopers shot and killed a man who opened fire with a rifle in the parking lot of the State Police Barracks.

"Malta is resilient, so we’ll be fine," Malta Town Supervisor told CBS6. "We still see Malta as a safe and friendly community, these unrelated events don’t change that."