News Flash

From: Capt. Erica Lapierre

Contact Number: (607) 737-5626

Date: January 14th, 2026

Subject: Felony DWI/ MVA/ Attempted Assault investigation

On January 13th, 2026, at approximately 10:37 PM Elmira Police Officers responded the 1000 block of Oak St. for the report of a disturbance where a male displayed a gun. Upon arrival Officers obtained information that the male who displayed a gun had left the area in a Dodge Charger, the victim knew the identity of the male subject and advised officers of this information.

This information was relayed to officers in the area at which time a member of the Elmira Police Department observed the male subject driving the Dodge Charger and attempted to initiate a traffic stop with the vehicle. The driver refused to pull over and attempted to flee the area at which time the male subject struck a parked car. As officers ordered the male driver to exit the vehicle, he drove away striking several objects and almost striking several occupied police vehicles.

Officers continued attempting to stop the vehicle as it traveled through the area. The driver again struck objects and then abandoned the vehicle in the 900 block of Grand Central Ave. Officers responded to the area and, with assistance from citizens who provided information where the male had fled to, located him and took him into custody without incident.

As a result of this investigation Christopher Z. Bailey, a 28-year-old male of Elmira was arrested for Attempted Assault on a Police Officer, a Class D Felony, Felony Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 1st Degree, a Class E Felony, Felony Driving While Intoxicated, a Class E Felony, Unlawful Fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the 3rd Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor and other vehicle and traffic law violations.

The Elmira Police Department was assisted by Chemung County Sheriff’s Office and Elmira Heights Police Department.

Photo of Christopher Bailey

Respectfully,

Capt. E. Lapierre

Elmira Police Department

607-737-5626

From: Chief Kristen Thorne

Contact Number: (607) 737-5626

Date: January 13, 2026

Subject: Elmira Downtown Business District

Given the recent shooting which occurred on January 11, 2026, in the Center Town parking garage, the Elmira Police Department would like to mention that beginning at the end of July 2025 an Elmira Police Officer from the 3PM-11PM shift has been assigned to the Downtown Business District. This was done due to various complaints arising from businesses in the area and a couple incidents occurring in that area which brought safety concerns.

Since that time the Elmira Police Department has made a concerted effort to address concerns which include vagrancy in Winser Park and loitering in the Center Town parking garage, larcenies from vehicles in the Center Town parking garage, individuals erratically operating E-Bikes in the area, individuals operating bicycles on the sidewalks and parking violations.

The Elmira Police Department has received positive feedback from businesses in the area due to these efforts. The Elmira Police Department has made these efforts without neglecting other areas within the city.

The Elmira Police Department acknowledges that Officers can not be everywhere 24/7 and even with our best intentions crime does occur. The Elmira Police Department makes sure to note on our press releases issued regarding serious crimes whether the crime appeared or was a random act or not a random act. We aim to notify the public in these instances of this to attempt to calm the public’s concern when it is an incident which was not a random act.

We will continue having an officer assigned to the Downtown Business District during the 3PM-11PM shift. A goal for 2026 would be to also provide extra targeted patrols of this area during the other two shifts dependent on manpower and patrol needs throughout the rest of the city.

Respectfully,

Chief Kristen Thorne

PRESS RELEASE

Elmira Police Department 317 East Church Street, Elmira, New York 14901

From: Lieutenant David Miller

Contact Number: 607-737-5626

Date: 1/13/2026

RE: Shooting

**************************************UPDATE***************************************************

Update to this ongoing investigation. The Elmira Police Department is now releasing that the

victim, Joshua A. Tappan, has passed away as a result of the injuries he received on the night

of January 11th 2026. The Elmira Police Department would like to reiterate that this does not

appear to be a random act and there does not seem to be a threat to the general public at this

time.

The Elmira Police Department is actively investigating this incident and anyone with information

about the incident is requested to call the Elmira Police Department at (607) 737-5626 or leave a

message on the anonymous tip line at (607) 271-HALT.

******************************************UPDATE*************************************************************

As an update to the original press release the Elmira Police Department is identifying the victim as

46 year old Elmira resident Joshua A. Tappan. Tappan is currently listed in critical condition at an

area hospital. No further information will be released at this time.

The Elmira Police Department is actively investigating this incident and anyone with information

about the incident is requested to call the Elmira Police Department at (607) 737-5626 or leave a

message on the anonymous tip line at (607) 271-HALT.

*****************************************************************************************************************

On Sunday January 11th at approximately 9:20pm Elmira Police Officers were dispatched to

Centertown Parking Garage for the report of a possible shooting. Officers arrived on scene to find

one person shot. The victim was taken from the scene to an area hospital for treatment. The

victim’s status and identity will not be released at this time. This did not appear to be a random act.

The Elmira Police Department is actively investigating this incident and anyone with information

about the incident is requested to call the Elmira Police Department at (607) 737-5626 or leave a

message on the anonymous tip line at (607) 271-HALT.

Respectfully,

Lieutenant David Miller

Elmira Police Department

Detective Bureau

Find the Draft of the Annual Report of the City of Elmira MS4 below 

DRAFTMS4 Annual

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Mayor Dan Mandell

January 16, 2026 607-737-5644

Mayor Daniel J Mandell, Jr. will be holding a press conference on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 2 PM at Erie Plaza regarding the future development of this property.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: P. Michael Collins

January 16, 2026 607-737-5644

City Manager P. Michael Collins will be holding a Budget Workshop in conjunction with the Council Workshop, located on the 3rd Floor of City Hall at 10:30 AM in the Law Library on Thursday, January 22, 2026.