Christopher Marcinkowski

MAYVILLE – The man who is accused of shooting a Dunkirk police officer may have his local trial delayed due to federal charges.

On Thursday, 39-year-old Christopher Marcinkowski appeared in Chautauqua County Court for a discovery conference, regarding evidence that can be used in a trial.

Marcinkowski is accused of shooting a Dunkirk officer in the chest on March 24 while police were serving a search warrant as part of an ongoing investigation into narcotics activity.

The round was stopped by the officer’s ballistic vest, which resulted in non-life-threatening injuries. The officer was transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital for evaluation and later released.

Following the shooting, it’s alleged that Marcinkowski took a female hostage inside the residence and barricaded himself inside the home. After approximately seven hours of negotiations, Marcinkowski exited the residence with the female and surrendered without further incident.

During the negotiations, residents in the area at the time were advised to stay inside their home with doors locked.

Marcinkowski is facing a slew of charges locally, including first-degree attempted murder and three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

After he was charged locally, U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Marcinkowski was facing federal drug charges, including maintaining a drug involved premises and being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

During Marcinkowski’s court appearance Thursday in Mayville, county Public Defender Nathaniel Barone said they were still reviewing the materials provided by the prosecution.

He also referred to the federal charges, which has a federal public defender representing Marcinkowski in that case.

Barone said he has been in contact with that office in exchanging information but requested additional time.

Because of this, County Court Judge David Foley is delaying the matter for the discovery conference until the end of September.

After the court action, Barone said his office would prefer the federal case be handled first. “My intention is to wait and see what the feds do first. You never want to plead or get sentenced on the state (charges) while something is pending federally,” he said.

Marcinkowski has three prior federal convictions. In October 2013, he was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. In November 2021, Marcinkowski was convicted of distributing cocaine.

Marcinkowski remains in the Chautauqua County Jail with bail set at $1 million.