New York State Trooper killed: Nicholas Clark shot by suicidal Steuben principal

Show Caption Hide Caption Video: Trooper killed in Corning A New York State Trooper was killed in Steuben County after responding to a domestic incident.

A 29-year-old New York state trooper was shot and killed early Monday after responding to a suicidal person barricaded inside his Corning area residence.

Trooper Nicholas Clark was among the responders to a 3:30 a.m. 911 call that sent law enforcement to 10041 Welch Road in the Town of Erwin, just south of the City of Corning.

During the response, Clark was fatally shot.

Catch up: New York State Trooper killed: Here is what we know about Nicholas Clark’s death

Nicholas Clark: New York State Troopers PBA seeks donations for slain trooper's family

More: New York State Trooper killed: Bradford schools 'cooperating fully' with police

"This is a terrible loss for the New York State Police," NYSP First Deputy Superintendent Chris Fiore said at a Monday afternoon news conference in Painted Post attended also by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

During the response, troopers, along with Steuben County sheriff's deputies and Corning police officers, set up a perimeter and attempted crisis negotiation tactics, but were unable to make contact with the suspect inside, according to Fiore.

The suspect, 43-year-old Steven Kiley, was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Fiore said.

Kiley had been listed as principal of Bradford Central School District, but his name and photo were removed from the school's website by Monday afternoon.

Kiley is listed as having been employed by the Bradford Central School District since January 2006, according to public records available at nydatabases.com. His most recent salary was listed as $90,026.

School district officials could not be reached for comment Monday.

Fiore said the 911 call was made by Kiley's estranged wife, who reported he was contemplating suicide and believed to be armed.

Authorities have not identified the weapon used in the trooper's shooting.

The investigation remains active, Fiore said.

Clark, of Troupsburg, was "an outstanding athlete in high school and college," Fiore said.

He attended Canisteo-Greenwood High School, where he was a two-time state wrestling champion and standout football player.

He spent one year at University of North Carolina at Greensboro on a wrestling scholarship before transferring to Alfred University, where he was an All-American linebacker and, according to a 2012 report posted on the school's Facebook page, he was invited as a free agent to Buffalo Bills mini-camp that spring.

Clark's mother, Theresa Gunn, is an accounting professor at Alfred Univeristy's College of Business. Alfred University officials posted a statement Monday expressing their condolences.



"Nick is one of the all-time greats that has ever worn the Purple & Gold and did so in a way that left a legacy that will never be forgotten," Alfred University Director of Athletics Paul Vecchio said in a statement.

"Nick's passion was to serve others, and this led him to his position as an NYS Trooper. His passing underscores the incredible sacrifices and risks that these brave men and women make every day to keep our communities safe."

At the time, Clark's bio on the Twitter account attributed to him listed one goal: playing in the NFL. In the years to follow, Clark's goal would change.

He graduated from the New York State Police Academy in 2015, and in August 2017, he transferred to the Bath barracks, New York State Police Troop E Commander Major Richard Allen said Monday.

As a lifelong Steuben County resident, this move brought with it a new goal, to give back to the community where he grew up.

"He was very proud to serve the citizens that he called friends and neighbors," Allen said.

Clark was assigned to Troop C in Ithaca and Troop E in Auburn before he was transferred to the Bath barracks, state police said.

State and federal lawmakers were quick to express condolences, along with praise for the men and women of law enforcement.

"Trooper Clark was killed in the line of duty," said state Sen. Tom O'Mara, R-Big Flats. "His death is another terrible reminder that the men and women of the New York State Police — and all law enforcement agencies — put their lives on the line every single day to protect the safety and well-being of our communities."

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, of New York's 22nd Congressional District, tweeted Monday afternoon her condolences to the trooper's family and colleagues.

"It is at times like these that we come together and pause to extend our gratitude in all law enforcement across the nation who risk their lives every day to protect us and to keep us safe," Tenney said on Twitter.

At this heartbreaking time, we offer our condolences to this New York trooper's family, community, and colleagues. https://t.co/71P23iJdUV — Congresswoman Tenney (@RepTenney) July 2, 2018

State Sen. Fred Akshar of New York's 52nd Senate District also expressed condolences Monday at the news of Trooper Clark's death.

"All too often we see heroes like Trooper Clark give their lives protecting their communities," Akshar said in a statement. "We remain deeply grateful to all the men and women of law enforcement for their service and sacrifice every day as they work tirelessly to keep our families and communities safe."

More: These Southern Tier law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty

Monday afternoon, a convoy of state police vehicles traveled from Steuben County to Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, where an autopsy was to be conducted.

Lourdes hospital operations remained accessible to the public Monday, as around two dozen law enforcement vehicles were parked outside the hospital entrance by Riverside Drive.

Cuomo said unfortunately he has had to announce the loss of a state trooper on more than one occasion.

Cuomo, who directed flags to be flown at half staff in honor of the fallen trooper, offered words of condolence to Clark's family and his state police colleagues.

"To Trooper Clark's family — his mother, his father and his brother — we hope you find some peace in this senseless act of violence," Cuomo said. "He was a stellar trooper with an extraordinary record, with his whole life ahead of him. He was a great athlete, well-accomplished. He wanted to do one thing, to help people."

Staff writer Katie Sullivan Borrelli contributed to this report. Follow @SGJeffMurray on Twitter.

More: Cortland Standoff at Hampton Inn: By the hour, how it unfolded

More: How to protect yourself from a stalker or cyberstalker

More: Roadside memorials: How families grieve by preserving crash victims' memories

More: Elmira area residents join in national immigration protest