New Details Released After Deadly Police Shooting in Cairo, NY

A man who was shot and killed by a New York State Trooper at a Greene County campground Monday night has been identified, and investigators have now revealed a major new detail about the weapon involved.

Man Killed in Trooper-Involved Shooting in Cairo, NY

Earlier this week, we learned that a trooper-involved shooting at a campground in Cairo, NY, had claimed the life of a man who was allegedly pointing a handgun at police. At the time, details were limited, but now the New York State Police (NYSP) have provided an update.

Whip-O-Will Campground Cairo, NY

According to the NYSP, 45-year-old Amir Hamza was holding what appeared to be a black handgun when he walked out of a camper and pointed it directly at a trooper.

There was just one problem — investigators say it wasn't actually a handgun.

The weapon recovered at the scene was a black pistol-style BB gun, according to State Police.

Shooting at Campground in Greene County, NY

The incident happened Monday night, September 14, 2026, at approximately 8:22 p.m. at the Whip-O-Will Campground, located at 644 County Route 31 in the Town of Cairo. State Police say troopers responded to the campground after receiving an open-line 911 call. During the call, a possible ongoing domestic incident could reportedly be heard in the background.

When troopers arrived, they found a man who had suffered an apparent head injury during a physical altercation.

Police say the man told troopers he had been assaulted and directed them to a nearby camper where Hamza was located. The injured man was transported to Albany Medical Center and was reported to be in stable condition.

What Happened Next

Troopers then approached the camper, knocked on the door, and announced, “State Police.”

According to investigators, Hamza exited the camper and advanced toward one of the troopers while extending his right arm and pointing a black pistol-style weapon directly at him. The trooper moved out of Hamza's line of approach, drew his division-issued firearm and fired, striking Hamza.

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Troopers immediately secured the scene and began administering first aid. CPR and an automated external defibrillator were used until emergency medical personnel arrived and took over lifesaving efforts.

Hamza was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.

The Weapon Was a BB Gun

While the weapon appeared to be a handgun during the encounter, investigators determined afterward that it was actually a black pistol-style BB gun. Police have released a picture of the BB gun recovered at the scene, and as you can see, the similarities are pretty scary.

Gun Comparison Campground Shooting Cairo, NY

The names of the New York State Troopers involved in the incident are not being released at this time. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the New York State Police, SP Catskill Bureau of Criminal Investigation, at 845-344-5300.