43°
The Rensselaer County incident happened shortly before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, in Troy, near 3rd and Jefferson streets.
Troy Police said someone called 911 saying they had heard multiple gunshots in the area. When officers arrived, they interviewed an individual who they believe to have been the intended target of the shooting.
The victim was not struck and there were no reports of injuries.
Patrol officers spotted the suspects 45 minutes later on a CDTA bus and they were arrested on 3rd Avenue in Watervliet without incident.
The teens, ages 15 and 16, were confirmed to have been involved in the shooting, according to police.
They were found with a bag containing three loaded handguns and high-capacity magazines. One of the weapons was a handmade, unserialized “ghost gun.”
Both suspects were taken to the youth detention facility on suspicion of attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
Investigators did not speculate on a possible motive for the shooting.
At the time of their arrest, the 15-year-old was wanted on a Rensselaer County Court bench warrant for failing to appear in connection with a November 2023 armed robbery in Troy.
Troy Police Assistant Chief Steven Barker said the incident underscores the ongoing challenges facing law enforcement officials and the community involving juveniles accused of violent acts.
“We are grateful that no one was injured in such a reckless act, and we hope these arrests will not only deter the involved suspects but those other individuals in our community who consider engaging in such dangerous activity,” Barker said.
“Our thanks to the Watervliet Police Department who assisted in this incident and the Troy Police Department officers and detectives who brought this investigation to a swift conclusion.”
Click here to follow Daily Voice Ulster Sullivan and receive free news updates.
