Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen announced that Paul W. Trinci (DOB 03/22/1948) pled guilty on May 21, 2025 before the Honorable Lorraine C. Diamond in the Saratoga County Court to both Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a Class “D” Felony in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 120.25, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class “D” Felony in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 145.10, in connection with a February 7, 2025 shooting in the City of Saratoga Springs.
The Defendant admitted under oath that on the evening of February 7, 2025 he drove by the Saratoga Springs Police Department on Lake Avenue and fired two (2) separate rounds of birdshot from behind the wheel of his vehicle. The rounds struck both a Saratoga Springs Police patrol car, as well as the front of the Saratoga Springs Police Department.
The Defendant, a Vietnam combat veteran, then led law enforcement on a low-speed vehicle pursuit that ultimately ended within the Town of Malta. Upon exiting the vehicle, the Defendant made numerous statements indicating that he wanted law enforcement to end his life. The Defendant was taken into custody without issue after which he described his recent substance abuse and mental health challenges.
“Consistent with their demonstrated professionalism, within a matter of minutes the Saratoga Springs Police Department went from being under fire, to pursuing a suspect, and then successfully taking the suspect into custody without anyone being harmed,” said DA Heggen. “Unfortunately, Saratoga County has seen several incidents this year concerning a combination of substance abuse and mental health challenges being suffered by our veterans that has led to incredibly dangerous incidents with law enforcement— some of them fatal. Although safety of law enforcement and Defendant accountability are of the utmost importance, as members of the community we would implore veterans facing similar challenges to take advantage of the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency located right here in Ballston Spa.”
The Defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9, 2025 to the maximum penalty of two-and-a-third to seven (2 1/3 – 7) years incarceration in a state correctional facility on the Reckless Endangerment charge followed by one-and-one-third to four (1 1/3 – 4) years incarceration in a state correctional facility on the Criminal Mischief charge for a total sentence of three-and-two-thirds to eleven (3 2/3 – 11) years incarceration. The Defendant was also ordered to pay full restitution.
Veterans facing such mental health and substance abuse challenges in Saratoga County are encouraged to call the Veterans Affairs Crisis Line by dialing “988.”
The case was prosecuted by General Felony Unit Bureau Chief Joseph A. Frandino together with District Attorney Investigator Jack N. Barney.
DATED: May 22, 2025