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UPDATE: Police release names of Errick Road victims, deputy

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Mon, Apr 20th 2015 12:30 pm

On Saturday, the Niagara County Sheriff's Office identified the victims of Friday's Wheatfield-area shooting as Duane A. Bores, age 58, and Cynthia A. Bores, age 55, both of 6871 Errick Road.

The victims reported to 911 dispatchers their son, Duane A. Bores Jr., 25, had shot them inside the residence. Both victims sustained gunshot wounds about their necks and heads. The victims remain in critical condition at Erie County Medical Center.

Preliminary investigation by the sheriff's office and New York State Police indicates Bores Jr. shot his parents first before exiting the rear of the house to confront the deputy on the scene. Multiple rounds of gunfire were exchanged between the deputy and Bores Jr. in the driveway area.

It appears Bores Jr. sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and retreated back into the house before taking his own life.

On Monday, Niagara County Sheriff James R. Voutour released the name of the deputy involved in the shooting incident. Deputy Sheriff Joe Tortorella, 43, was the deputy involved. Tortorella is a 10-year veteran of the sheriff's office who has been exclusively assigned to the Wheatfield area since 2009.

Voutour commended Tortorella on his quick actions to protect the students and faculty of the Errick Road Elementary School. While in a life-threatening situation, Tortorella's first thoughts were to advise the sheriff's dispatch to instruct the school to go into lockdown mode.

"Deputy Tortorella reacted and did what he was trained to do, and his swift actions may have saved lives" Voutour said.

Throughout Tortorella's career, Voutour said he has displayed professionalism and dedication to duty. Tortorella has been the recipient of departmental awards and many letters of praise from the public, including Wheatfield Supervisor Robert Cliffe.

Tortorella is married with a son and two daughters.

The deputy has been placed on administrative paid leave, which is standard protocol by NCSO. Tortorella sustained a gunshot wound to the chest, which was stopped by his bullet-resistant vest.

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