Sheriff: Officer shot, but did not strike suspect during ‘child exploitation’ investigation

Authorities in Auburn are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Aug. 8 in Melone Village that left one man dead. The incident occurred during a child sexual exploitation investigation, leading officers to confront Scott R. Demonte, 51, of Fayetteville, who brandished a gun when he approached police.

According to Sheriff Brian Schenck, Demonte turned the gun on himself after pointing it at officers, causing a fatal gunshot wound to the head. A preliminary investigation confirmed that an Auburn police officer also fired a single round, but it missed Demonte. Officers on the scene attempted to revive him, but Demonte succumbed to his self-inflicted wounds.

The investigation is ongoing, led by the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, with assistance from the New York State Police, the New York State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations and the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office. The Auburn Police Department is also involved in the investigation. Authorities have not released any further details and urge anyone with information to contact Detective Sergeant Nicole Stewart at the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office or submit tips online.

FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. Founded in 1998, the company has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a tip? Send it to (email protected).