Headlines: Wallkill victim’s family backs police, Westchester sued, ‘The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain’

Here are some stories making headlines across the Hudson Valley.

News 12 Staff

Jun 17, 2021, 10:18 AM

Updated 1,204 days ago

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Here are some stories making headlines across the Hudson Valley.
The family of the 31-year-old man fatally shot by Wallkill police over the weekend is defending the officer's actions. In a statement to News 12, the family says, in part, "Christopher VanKleeck, after a long struggle with mental illness, was shot in what appears to be a justifiable shooting by the Town of Wallkill Police." Police have not released the name of the officer, who is a five-year veteran, and is now on non-disciplinary leave. The Attorney General's Office is investigating.
Westchester County is being sued for more than $30 million by Million Air. The aircraft services provider, claims efforts to build a replacement hangar at the County Airport has been delayed for more than three years. According to the federal lawsuit, since the George Latimer administration took office, they have refused to approve the second hangar without providing a valid reason. Million Air claims it’s costing them millions of dollars in lost revenue and other costs. A county spokesperson says they do not respond to pending litigation.
A highly acclaimed film about the White Plains police shooting of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. can soon be seen nationwide. "The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain" won top awards at the 2019 Austin Film Festival. Now, Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights to the movie and will release it in theaters and on demand on Sept. 17. The movie chronicles the death of 68-year-old Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. The Marine veteran was killed during a conflict with police in 2011. No charges were filed in the fatal shooting. But last week, the Westchester DA announced her office will take another look at the case.