Yonkers, NY – On Saturday, February 9th, 2019, at approximately 10:25 PM, members of the Yonkers Police Department while on patrol in the area of Cottage Place Gardens heard several gunshots north of their position; at the same time police dispatch received reports of shots fired on Lamartine Terrace. Patrol officers immediately responded thereat and began canvassing the area. There were no reports of injuries.

Officers interviewed witnesses at scene and developed information that shots were heard and several suspects were seen running into an apartment at 28 Lamartine Terrace; officers responded thereat and made contact with the occupants. Detectives from the Major Case Squad responded and upon further investigation located an illegal firearm – a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver – in the apartment in addition to multiple handgun cartridges; three suspects were placed into custody. Detectives from the Crime Scene Unit responded to the scene to process forensic and ballistic evidence including the recovery of three spent shell casings located outside the building.

Detectives continued to interview subjects and witnesses and review surveillance video; investigators developed information that lead to the recovery of a second illegal firearm – a loaded Springfield Armory 9mm semi-automatic pistol – and a high capacity magazine (twenty-one cartridges) within the same apartment.

Arrested in connection with this incident is Justice WATSON, a 17-year-old resident of Lamartine Terrace this City. WATSON is charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E Felony in the NYS Penal Law, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3°, a Class D Felony in the NYS Penal Law. WATSON was arraigned in Yonkers Criminal Court and remanded to the Westchester County Jail; his next court date is scheduled for Friday, February 15th, 2019. The case is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.

Police Commissioner Charles Gardner stated, “Illegal guns have no place in our communities, and our police officers and detectives are committed to finding those individuals who would illegally possess firearms and commit violent acts, delivering them into the criminal justice system where they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I commend our officers for taking two more illegal handguns off our streets.”

The Yonkers Police Department is currently working with our local and Federal law enforcement partners to enhance this on-going investigation; additional arrests may be executed. Further information will be released as it becomes available.

NOTE: Booking charges are merely accusations and the defendant(s) are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. ###

Alert sent on 02/12/2019 at 11:58AM EST

Justice WATSON (JPG)	Shield with Handcuffs (JPG)

Additional Information

Attachment: Download Press Release 2019-0011 (PDF)

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