Mark W. Bemis Obituary, Death – A man fatally shot by deputies during a confrontation in Chautauqua County has been identified by authorities. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 66-year-old Mark W. Bemis died at the scene of a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday afternoon.
The altercation unfolded at a residence located at 2900 Mina-French Creek Road. Deputies were initially dispatched to the location at around 3:34 p.m. in response to a report of a domestic disturbance. According to a press release issued Thursday, law enforcement officers arrived at the scene approximately 20 minutes later, at 3:55 p.m.
Upon arrival, deputies encountered a man—later identified as Bemis—standing outside the home and visibly armed with a shotgun. Authorities reported that Bemis discharged the weapon once and repeatedly aimed it at one of the responding deputies during the encounter.
Despite receiving numerous verbal instructions from the deputies to drop the firearm, Bemis refused to comply. The tense standoff quickly escalated, and multiple shots were fired. During the exchange, one of the deputies sustained injuries to his hands. Officials described the deputy’s wounds as non-life-threatening.
Bemis was struck by gunfire during the confrontation and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel. No other individuals were reported to be injured during the incident.
The sheriff’s department stated that the situation became highly dangerous when Bemis ignored repeated commands and pointed the loaded shotgun at deputies multiple times. The deputies involved responded by firing their weapons in defense of themselves and others nearby.
The identity of the injured deputy has not been publicly disclosed, and it remains unclear how many deputies discharged their firearms during the incident. Officials did not confirm the total number of shots fired by either side.
The shooting is now under investigation, as is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. Authorities will be reviewing body camera footage, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing forensic evidence from the scene to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The sheriff’s office has not released additional information regarding the nature of the original domestic disturbance call or whether any other individuals were involved in the dispute.
Community members in the area were reportedly shaken by the violence. Residents have expressed concern over the incident, particularly as it occurred in a generally quiet, rural section of Chautauqua County.
The department stated that more information would be released as the investigation progresses. Meanwhile, the deputy who was injured is expected to recover, and officials have not indicated whether administrative leave has been issued for those involved pending the outcome of the inquiry.
This tragic event adds to the broader conversation surrounding law enforcement’s handling of armed confrontations and mental health issues during domestic calls. Authorities are urging the public to cooperate during such emergencies to help avoid similar outcomes in the future.
