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A suspect killed in a shootout with troopers on the Thruway was wanted in connection with another shooting hours earlier that left a man in critical condition.
The Rockland County incident happened shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3 in the southbound lanes of I-87 in the Town of Ramapo.
State Police said troopers stopped a Mercedes sedan near exit 15A that had been identified in a Be on the Lookout (BOLO) as part of an attempted homicide investigation in Albany.
During the traffic stop, the suspect and sole occupant of the car opened fire on troopers, according to police. Troopers returned fire, killing the man.
One trooper suffered minor injuries and the other trooper was unharmed.
On Thursday, Jan. 4, State Police identified the suspect as Rakim Tillery, age 35, of Albany.
Albany Police investigators had been tracking Tillery's movements on traffic cameras following a shooting in the city hours earlier, Chief Eric Hawkins said.
He eventually left Albany heading southbound on I-87 before being stopped by State Police in Ramapo, where the second shooting occurred.
The victim in the earlier shooting remains in critical condition at Albany Medical Center.
Troopers are asking anyone with information in the case to contact State Police at 845-344-5300.
The incident closed the three right lanes of southbound I-87 for several hours, with traffic backed up for miles. Delays were also seen on northbound I-287.
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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