NY State Police Name Driver, Troopers In Fatal Thruway Shoot-Out

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — New York State police have released more details, including the names of the driver and troopers involved, about a Wednesday afternoon traffic stop on I-87 that became a fatal shoot-out.

Troopers Steven J. Missale and Ronald Raymond saw a 2009 Mercedes E350 southbound on the New York State Thruway, police said. It matched the description of a vehicle state police had been asked to be on the lookout for, connected to an attempted homicide in Albany earlier in the day.

They stopped the car near the New Jersey border, between exit 15 (NJ/I-287) and exit 15A in Sloatsburg, at 2:53 p.m.

Police alleged the driver immediately fired on the troopers, who both returned fire.

He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Troopers Missale and Raymond, both assigned to Troop T out of Newburgh, were transported to Westchester Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and later released.

The driver of the Mercedes was later identified as Rakim A. Tillery, 35, of Albany, police said Thursday.

The investigation delayed traffic on the Thruway for hours. As the sun set, investigators brought out tower lights and powered generators to illuminate the scene.

CBS New York spoke to nearby residents.

"I was sitting in the house. I was watching TV. Next thing I know, I heard a big bang and I figured, okay, it's one of the truckers, probably another blow out. I never imagined something like this," George Caccamo said.

"We don't get this much action. It's very quiet here in Hillburn and I'm just shocked, especially to see all the police cars on our bridge here," Carolyn Caccamo said.

Anyone with information is asked to call SP Middletown at 845-344-5300.