State police share more details on Sept. 18 manhunt

The New York State Police recently issued a rundown of what transpired Wednesday afternoon in the Woodbury/Highland Mills area.

On September 18, 2024, at about 5:35 a.m., state police from Troop T responded to a report of a stolen 2021 Chevrolet Equinox that was traveling northbound on the New York State Thruway in Rockland County.

According to the report, a short time later, troopers spotted the vehicle approaching Exit 16 in Harriman and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver, identified as Ali Ali, 28, of NYC allegedly failed to comply and continued to travel north. Police say the vehicle “became disabled” about four miles north of Exit 16, struck a tractor-trailer and caught fire. Ali then got out and fled into a wooded area off the highway in Woodbury.

Police say Ali was wanted in connection with a stabbing being investigated by the NYPD.

State police set up a command post on Smith Clove Road in Woodbury and began searching for Ali with help from other law enforcement agencies.

Locally, the town of Woodbury alerted its citizens to stay inside and the school district initiated lockout procedures, keeping students inside while the hunt ensued. Woodbury Town Supervisor Kate Luciani said all town departments were also notified and told to lock up until the manhunt was over.

Luciani went on the praise the school district for its safety response, as well as the community as a whole, adding, “I’m so deeply impressed with the professionalism of everyone working together yesterday for the safety of the community. I’m so proud of our Town of Woodbury Police Department and the K-9 unit. I’m so grateful for the K-9 unit we have here in the Town of Woodbury [and] for all the other law enforcement that came out. Everyone worked together for the greater good of the community and I cannot express my gratitude enough!”

Later on Sept. 18, a Highland Mills homeowner told investigators that he captured video of Ali on a trail cam. After reviewing the footage, troopers entered a wooded area off Trout Brook Road near where the sighting occurred, and at about 1:47 p.m., spotted Ali, who they claim was armed with a knife.

The police report said troopers ordered Ali to drop the knife and surrender numerous times, but he failed to comply. They then twice deployed a taser at Ali, “who appeared to fall to the ground but immediately got up, charging at troopers while brandishing the knife,” per the police report. After that time, one of the troopers reportedly shot at and hit Ali. Troopers immediately began life saving measures but Ali died at the scene.

The state police have notified the New York State Attorney General’s Office, which responded to the scene.

State Police were assisted by the NYPD, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, town of Woodbury Police Department, and the New York State Park Police. Troopers from State Police Troop F, Troop T, Special Operations Response Team, Aviation, Unmanned Aerial Systems and canine units also participated in the search.