Charles E. McDougald, a 36-year-old Buffalo police officer known as Skip, was shot and killed in the line of duty in the early hours of April 9, 1997. McDougald, an eight-year veteran, and his partner Michael Martinez were patrolling on Northampton Street when they approached a suspicious person; that individual opened fire, striking McDougald in the chest. McDougald was taken to the hospital and died shortly after; Martinez was wounded and survived. McDougald was not wearing his protective vest at the time as he was awaiting a replacement and was survived by his wife and four children.

An investigation resulted in the arrest of 18-year-old Jonathan Parker, who was charged with murder of a police officer and attempted murder of a police officer. In 1998 Parker was convicted on both counts and sentenced to life without parole. In later years a key trial witness recanted, saying Parker was not the shooter or present that night and alleging coercion by a former Buffalo Police detective, prompting renewed scrutiny and calls for a new trial. Does anyone have information about the April 1997 Northampton Street shooting or links to contemporaneous reporting or court records?