UTICA, NY – Gunfire rang out at a candlelight vigil and the only information police have to go on at this point is that Santa Claus is the prime suspect. That’s because another man shot during the incident refused to cooperate with police during the investigation.
According to police, at approximately 8:15 PM on Tuesday, Utica Police and Utica Fire units were dispatched to the area of the 1400 block of Whitesboro St regarding a reported 12 year old gunshot victim.
“Upon arrival, they located the victim and mother and were informed that they were at a candlelight vigil on Columbia St when gunshots were fired and the 12-year-old victim was struck in the face by a bullet,” police said. “The child was first transported to a local hospital, and then to a Syracuse area hospital so that surgery can performed to remove the projectile which was lodged in his jaw. We are very thankful that these injuries are not considered life threatening.”
Police said another shooting victim was located nearby.
“As the units were attending to this victim, another call for a gunshot victim was received at Sunset St and Oswego St. There they located a 29-year-old male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds The male was extremely uncooperative with the officers and at one point told them that Santa Claus had shot him and that he would not tell them anymore information,” police said. “The officers were able to determine that this male too was likely near the scene of the vigil at the time of the shooting.”
He was transported to St. Elizabeth’s and his injuries are also considered non-life threatening.
As the officers were able to process the original scene they located over twenty 9mm casings at two locations, and at least five vehicles that were struck by gunfire.
Police expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation during the investigation.
“No additional victims have come forward thus far,” police said. “It has been stated over and over that these cases are very difficult to solve without public cooperation, and while every case is given the utmost importance, those that involve innocent young victims add an additional layer of expedience to our investigators to find those responsible. Uncooperative victims and witnesses only harm our ability to bring justice for those harmed.”