SILVER CREEK - A Collins man with outstanding arrest warrants from Erie County courts shot himself after he was pulled over in Silver Creek early Thursday morning.
According to a police report, Stephen R. Spicola, 21, of South Quaker Road, Collins, was pulled over by a Silver Creek police officer for allegedly speeding at about 2 a.m. Thursday on Route 20, said Tim Roche, Silver Creek police chief.
"During the traffic stop, the officer was alerted of active warrants for Spicola out of Erie County," Roche said.
When the officer returned to the car to take Spicola into custody, Spicola showed the officer that he had a gun, Roche said. A standoff then began with Spicola refusing to get out of the car. Police made several negotiation attempts to resolve the standoff before Spicola shot himself.
"Spicola ultimately turned the weapon on himself, resulting in a self-inflicted gunshot wound," Roche said.
Spicola was taken from the scene by Silver Creek rescue crews to Lake Shore Hospital and then to the Erie County Medical Center, Roche said. He was listed in fair condition at ECMC on Thursday evening.
The Silver Creek Police Department was assisted by the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office and the New York State Police, Roche said.
An investigation on the incident in ongoing and charges are pending.
