Genesee County DA Larry Friedman and First Assistant DA Melissa Cianfrini held a press conference on Thursday afternoon to discuss the officer involved shooting death of Keith Kent that occurred on April 11, 2018 at the Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant on Gilmore road.
At approximately 10:58 P.M., the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 9-1-1 call of a male subject armed with a handgun threatening patrons in the parking lot of Indian Falls Log Cabin Bar & Restaurant in Pembroke, NY.
During the incident, Deputies confronted Keith A. Kent, 61 of Albion, at which time Kent was fatally shot.
The Sheriff’s Office requested that the New York State Police handle the investigation.
The results of the investigation show the actions of the Deputy Sheriff Ryan Young were justified and there is no case for criminal charges in the matter. A Genesee County Grand Jury returned a “no bill” in the case and it is now closed.
Kent was removed from the bar under protest after he was asked to leave a woman alone at the bar. Kent was talking to the woman and she was not receptive to what he was saying to her, according to DA Larry Friedman.
After being removed from the bar, Kent had fired two shots from his revolver in the parking lot. Patrons of the bar then went into the basement and began to arm themselves with materials from the basement. Kent then re-entered the bar and threats were made according to First Assistant DA Melissa Cianfrini.
Prior to deputies encountering Kent, they heard what they thought was a shot fired . When Kent was located he was holding a revolver in his hand and was given multiple commands to drop his weapon, he did not comply with commands.
Kent then began to advance towards Deputy Young pointing his revolver at him.
Deputy Young fired several rounds from his AR 15 rifle and Kent was shot once in the neck and a second shot braised his back causing a superficial wound. Kent was pronounced dead at the scene.
Friedman says there is no reason to believe that Kent went to the Log Cabin to meet any one in particular.
It is unknown if Kent ingested any other substances other than alcohol at this point, the toxicology report has yet to be completed.
Deputy Young has since returned to work and is on light duty.