MIDDLETOWN – City police are investigating multiple reports of “shots fired” that occurred Monday afternoon in the area of Genung and Phillips Streets. 911 received multiple calls of gunshots at approximately 1:45 p.m. on July 11.
Responding officers located several shell casings in the roadway and they were processed by the Detective Division.
While patrolling the area around the incident, officers Andrew Sciandra and Kelly Conklin located four juvenile suspects matching the description that was provided by witnesses at the entrance to a wooded trail on an adjacent section of Phillips Street.
One suspect immediately fled on foot and was quickly apprehended by the officers. It was then learned that the remaining three suspects had fled into the wooded area, in an unknown direction.
A perimeter was quickly set up around the site, with assistance from the Town of Wallkill Police Department and the New York State Police. K-9 teams from the City of Middletown Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Office then began an area search for the suspects. A helicopter from the New York State Police provided aerial coverage over the incident scene. The search of the area was unsuccessful in locating the remaining suspects.
The Middletown Detective Division is continuing to investigate the incident and identify additional suspects. At this time, there does not appear to be any property damage or injuries that resulted from the shooting. Due to the age of the suspect who was apprehended, his identity will not be released.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information about any additional suspects is encouraged to contact the Middletown Police Department at 845-343-3151. All calls will be kept confidential. Anonymous tips can also be sent to the Police Department by sending “TIP MIDDLETOWN” to 888777.
