David Levine Malta NY Death and Obituary – On Wednesday afternoon, a violent confrontation outside the New York State Police barracks in Malta, Saratoga County, led to the death of 69-year-old David M. Levine. The incident, which unfolded around 1:45 p.m. on Route 9, has left the community in shock and raised several questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
Levine, a long-time resident of Malta, drove a burgundy Nissan pickup truck into a parking lot designated for law enforcement vehicles. According to Major Christopher Gilroy of Troop G, after parking the truck, Levine exited the vehicle carrying a high-powered rifle and opened fire on the State Police barracks building. Several rounds were fired by Levine, prompting an immediate response from troopers inside the station.
The situation escalated quickly when the troopers exited the building and ordered Levine to drop the weapon. Levine, however, refused to comply with the commands, instead aiming the rifle toward the officers. In response to the threat, the troopers fired at Levine, fatally striking him. Despite the tense standoff, no law enforcement personnel were injured in the exchange.
In a press conference following the incident, Major Gilroy emphasized that the entire confrontation was captured on body-worn cameras, although the footage has not been released as the investigation is still ongoing. The New York State Attorney General’s Office, which handles investigations involving civilian deaths during police interactions, has taken over the case.
David Levine, a local resident, lived just five miles from the State Police barracks on Rowley Road in Malta. Public records and accounts from those familiar with the Levine family indicate they owned farmland and a small motel near Exit 13 of the Northway. In recent years, Levine had faced financial difficulties, including lawsuits from creditors like the Navy Federal Credit Union, for defaulted loans and unpaid debts. These financial troubles have prompted speculation that they may have played a role in his actions, though no official connection has been established between his financial struggles and the shooting.
The vehicle Levine was driving—a burgundy Nissan pickup truck—was left in the parking lot after the shooting. It was found to have a shattered passenger-side window, a military veteran sticker, and a handicap-access license plate. Crime scene investigators processed the vehicle for evidence, while medical personnel attended to the scene.
In the wake of the shooting, Route 9 was closed in both directions, and the area surrounding the barracks was cordoned off as law enforcement and crime scene technicians continued their work. Investigators spent several hours combing the scene for forensic evidence both inside and outside the building. The police also reviewed body camera footage from the troopers involved in the confrontation to aid in their understanding of the events that transpired.
The Malta State Police barracks, housed in a converted single-story brick building on Route 67, has served as a law enforcement facility for many years. The quiet and close-knit nature of the community has only deepened the sense of unease and sorrow surrounding this tragic incident. Local residents, many of whom have lived in the area for decades, are struggling to reconcile the events that unfolded in their normally peaceful town.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together what led David M. Levine to carry out this violent act. While it is clear that the troopers acted in self-defense, the unresolved question remains: what drove a 69-year-old man to fire on law enforcement officers? As the community seeks answers, investigators hope to shed light on the tragic circumstances of this unsettling event in upstate New York.
