On February 3, 2023, at approximately 8:40 p.m., the Watervliet Police Department responded to the area of 23rd Street and Whitehall Street to investigate a shots fired complaint. Upon arrival, officers located multiple shell casings in the area. Through investigation it was determined a juvenile suspect fired multiple rounds from a handgun and struck an occupied vehicle. No injuries were reported.
On February 15, 2023, the Watervliet Police Department, in conjunction with the New York State Police, executed a search warrant in the City of Albany and arrested the 15-year-old suspect.
“Any reasonable person knows that when an offender recklessly shoots an illegally possessed firearm at the operator of a moving vehicle, that defendant is a danger to the community and should not be released while awaiting trial. That is exactly what occurred in this instance and is an unequivocal consequence of New York’s justice reform laws,” said Watervliet Police Chief Joseph Centanni. “All of these laws are pro-offender and are verifiably detrimental to public safety. The Watervliet Police Department, along with our law enforcement partners, remain committed to removing gun criminals from our streets,” concluded Centanni.
Watervliet Police charged the juvenile with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree (Class C Felony), Criminal Use of a Firearm in the 2nd Degree (Class C Felony), Reckless Endangerment in the 1st Degree (Class D Felony) and Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree (Class D Felony).
The defendant was arraigned in Albany County Family Court and released to the supervision of probation.