On July 24, 2021, the Watervliet Police Department investigated a complaint of a suspicious male in the area of 23^rd Street at Second Avenue. Upon arrival, the officers observed a male who fit the description and attempted to interview him. As the officers approached the male, he fled on foot toward the Daniel P. Quinn Apartments on Second Avenue. Moments later, the officers located the male on the ground in the Quinn Apartments Courtyard with an apparent gunshot wound to his right leg. It was determined that the male shot himself while fleeing the officers.

Watervliet police arrested 30 year old Tashon Robertson of Troy, NY (photo attached) and charged him with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd Degree (Class C Felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3^rd Degree (Class D Felony). Robertson was arraigned in Watervliet City Court and remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility.

“After receiving a complaint about suspicious activity, Watervliet police officers took proactive steps which resulted in the arrest of a violent felon and the removal of a loaded gun from our streets,” said Watervliet Police Chief Joseph Centanni. “The thought of what could have happened if this person attempted to use his firearm against the officers or a member of the community is of great concern to all of us.

Robertson suffered a serious, self-inflicted injury to which officers applied a tourniquet to help reduce the loss of blood. These life-saving efforts by the officers were instrumental in stabilizing the male until Watervliet Fire Department’s emergency medical personnel arrived. Additionally, the officers secured a loaded, unlawfully possessed .45 caliber Springfield Armory handgun.

“During recent months, gun violence has dramatically surged throughout countless neighborhoods across the country. Much of the increase can be attributed to a combination of social, economic and policy issues which have made it difficult for most communities to avoid. The Watervliet Police Department will continue to be tenacious in our efforts to remove gun offenders from our streets,” concluded Centanni.