Suicide in Auburn as police investigate child abuse

Scott R. Demonte, 51, of Fayetteville, contacted officers investigating a child sexual exploitation case at the apartment complex, according to Auburn Police Chief James Slayton. He then pulled out a gun and pointed it at officers before turning it on himself. A preliminary investigation conducted by the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office indicates he fired a single round, resulting in his death.

Attempts by officers to revive Demonte at the scene were unsuccessful, according to Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck. He died after being taken to a hospital.

Slayton said an Auburn officer fired one round during the confrontation, which did not hit anyone. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave per department policy, and his name will be released next week. Due to the officer firing one round, the New York State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation is also participating in the investigation.

Schenck said his office, along with the state attorney general’s office and the Cayuga County district attorney’s office, are still processing “a mountain of evidence” from Thursday’s shooting, including body camera footage. He and Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci declined to comment on the details of the child sexual exploitation investigation other than to say that Demonte was involved.

The confrontation between him and the police happened “very quickly,” Schenck said, and was “very dynamic.”

The bullet fired by the officer has been recovered, the sheriff said. Bodycam footage will be released once the investigation is complete.

The Citizen has filed a request under the Government Information (Public Access) Act for the images.