Abdellatif is out on bail for a death threat against Deputy in July

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports his Deputies arrested Sammy Abdellatif for Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, an A-1 felony, after a traffic stop on East River Road in Grand Island.

The incident began around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when Deputy Clark was investigating an unrelated suspicious vehicle report at a hotel on East River Road.  During his investigation, a vehicle drove back and forth by the scene, at least twice, with the passenger shouting threats and obscenities at Deputy Clark.   The Deputy cleared the suspicious person call and performed a traffic stop on the vehicle from which the threats originated.   During the traffic stop, Deputy Clark identified the person making the threats as Sammy Abdellatif. When the Deputy attempted to arrest Abdellatif on disorderly conduct charges, Abdellatif rolled up the window nearly trapping the Deputy’s hand; the Deputy was forced to break the vehicle’s window to prevent being trapped between the glass and the vehicle.

Abdellatif exited the vehicle and immediately began physically and violently assaulting Deputy Clark.  The driver, identified as Brittany Ashley-Graser, exited the vehicle and jumped on the back of the Deputy.  As the Deputy attempted to gain control of Abdellatif and fight off Ashley-Graser, a pit bull exited the vehicle and was aggressive toward the Deputy.  At this point Peter O’Brien a civilian passer-by stopped and engaged the assailants freeing Deputy Clark from Abdellatif’s choke hold; O’Brien was then attacked by the dog.

A second Deputy assigned to Grand Island arrived at the scene and observed his partner on the ground bleeding and gasping for air; Abdellatif took an aggressive and offensive posture toward Deputy Coniglio.  At gunpoint, Deputy Coniglio, in a clear and loud tone, ordered the subject to the ground however it took several commands to gain Abdellatif’s compliance.  When Abdellatif finally complied with Deputy Coniglio’s orders, the injured Deputy crawled over to Abdellatif and handcuffed him.  During this time Ashley-Graser stepped between Deputy Coniglio and Abdellatif interfering with Deputy Coniglio’s attempt to approach Abdellatif.  Deputy Coniglio ordered Ashley-Graser to step aside and Abdellatif was finally escorted to a patrol vehicle.  There Abdellatif again became aggressive and kicked Deputy Coniglio.  The Deputy gained control of Abdellatif and placed him in the back of the sheriff’s vehicle.

Abdellatif, 22 of Grand Island, was charged with attempted murder and is held at the Erie County Holding Center pending his arraignment in Grand Island Town Court.  Brittany Ashley-Graser, 21 of Grand Island, was arrested and charged with felony assault, obstruction of governmental administration, and resisting arrest and is held at the holding center pending her arraignment.

Deputy Clark was taken to Erie County Medical Center for serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was released Thursday morning.

The investigation continues and additional charges may be pending.