Albany Police arrest 2 teens accused of July 4 shooting
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ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany Police Department arrested two teens who are accused of being involved with the Fourth of July shooting and fire on Madison Avenue. Two 15-year-olds are facing multiple charges.
Police responded to 333 Madison Ave. just after the Empire State Plaza fireworks ended on July 4, upon receiving reports about a fire and a shooting. Law enforcement said four people had gunshot wounds and an apartment building was engulfed in flames when they arrived.
After an investigation, Albany detectives said the teens had been fighting when one allegedly fired a flare gun while the other fired a handgun. Officials stated the flare gun's projectile caused the apartment fire, while the rounds from the other teen who fired the handgun struck four victims.
The 15-year-old accused of firing the handgun was arrested on Wednesday afternoon, and the other teen accused of firing the flare gun was arrested Thursday morning after a search warrant was executed on Elizabeth Street. Both will be arraigned in Albany County Family Court.
Charges
15-year-old (handgun)
- One count of second-degree attempted murder
- Three counts of first-degree assault
- One count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon
15-year-old (flare gun)
- One count of second-degree attempted murder
- One count of first-degree attempted assault
- One count of second-degree attempted assault
- One count of second-degree arson
- One count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon
Officers also arrested a man from Albany and Troy in connection with the investigation. Albany Police said Savion Wimberly, 24, of Albany, was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and Jaelah Gutowski, 19, of Troy, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm.
Wimberly and Gutowski were arrested during a search warrant on First Street near North Swan Street, according to police. Both are scheduled for arraignment in Albany City Criminal Court on Thursday afternoon.
"This incident had a profound impact on the people that live in and visit this city," Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said. "No one should be picking up a gun to 'solve' any of their problems, and the fact that this implicates our youth is even more concerning. This was senseless violence that affected thousands of people who were enjoying the July 4 Holiday."