Dunkirk man charged after gunshot hits officer’s vest
A Dunkirk man is facing charges after gunshots were fired while a search warrant was being executed before sunrise Tuesday with one of those shots striking a Dunkirk police officer in the vest during the incident.
Dunkirk police reported Tuesday night that Christopher M. Marcinkowski, 39, of 312 Franklin Ave., was charged with three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and faces further charges. Around 6:25 a.m., the Southern Tier Regional Task Force, comprising of members from the Dunkirk Police Department, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, and Jamestown Police Department and the Dunkirk Police Department Special Response Team made entry with shots being fired by an occupant of the residence.
The subject then barricaded himself inside the residence.
After hours of long negotiations, Marcinkowski surrendered peacefully before 2 p.m. The officer was evaluated at Brooks Memorial Hospital and later released. No serious injuries were sustained. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.
The Dunkirk Police Department thanked the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Police Department, CCSO & JPD SWAT, State Police, District Attorney’s Office, Dunkirk Fire Department, Chautauqua County Emergency Services, Forensic Investigation Team, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Negotiation Team and Drone Teams for the assistance.
“On behalf of all the agencies listed, we thank Ellman’s garage for the use of their property, food, and water,” police said.
During the negotiations, residents in the area at the time were advised to stay inside their home with doors locked.
Marcinkowski, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, was sentenced to 78 months in jail in 2014.
In that 2012 case, Dunkirk Police and New York State Parole executed a search warrant at 531 Columbus Ave. Just prior to the execution of the warrant, officers observed Marcinkowski toss a sawed-off shotgun from a second story window. Officers later found a marijuana grow operation in the residence, as well as a quantity of cocaine and drug packaging materials.


