Authorities say another person was shot in Poughkeepsie Wednesday
night, making it the second shooting
this week.
Days after a man was shot multiple times while sitting in
his car, police are
investigating a shooting that sent a 27-year-old Yonkers man to the hospital.
News 12 is told he suffered injuries
that did not appear to be life-threatening.
Mayor Rob Rolison addressed the issue, saying in part,
“I’m upset about it, not only as being the mayor but as a resident of the city…that gun violence happens to
impact our city.”
Authorities say they found nearly two dozen shell casings
at the scene near 76 N. Clinton St.,
which led them to believe there were two assailants shooting from different
directions. They further went on to say the act of violence was not random.
Officials confirm there has been an uptick in shootings this year. As of yesterday, the city of Poughkeepsie has dealt with 14 shootings this
year.
Mayor Rolison says law enforcement have been focusing
efforts on programs to help the youth, and the city is part of the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force. The task force serves as a multiagency effort to combat gun violence through investigations
and prosecutions.
The city also has a "gun-involved violence elimination" initiative and an outreach program through which community members pinpoint what’s happening and
work to prevent gun violence.
News 12 is also told the city receives funding to target
areas where gun violence is likely.
"It’s imperative that the
community come together, become more educated about the public health approach
to gun violence and collectively strategize ways to reduce situations like this
from occurring,” says Rolison.
News 12 is told officials are asking people who know
something to say something to help keep perpetrators off the streets.