Colonie police received a call reporting a person with a weapon and shots fired in the Colonie Center parking lot near the Cheesecake Factory Thursday night, Aug. 13, at 10:07 p.m.
Police said the only suspect information given “was a black male.” Responding officers arrived around 10:10 p.m., but could not locate a suspect or victim.
Shortly after, Albany Medical Center reported a victim of a shooting was being treated and had arrived by personal vehicle, police said. The victim sustained a gunshot to the abdomen and allegedly said he had come from Colonie Center.
The victim was Jermel Hawkins, 38, of Schenectady. He had a gunshot wound to the abdomen and, as of Friday morning, Aug. 14, he was undergoing surgery at Albany Medical Center, police said. According to authorities, the wounds are not believed to be life threatening.
Police received conflicting information from witnesses the suspect had either fled on foot through the parking lot, or had fled in an unknown vehicle. Colonie police, with assistance from the State Police helicopter, Troy police K-9, Albany County Sheriff’s K-9, Guilderland police and state Department of Environmental Conversation Police checked the area, but could not located a suspect.
During the search of the parking lot, police found several shell casings from a 0.40 caliber handgun, as well as gunshots to an unoccupied parked vehicle and light pole. Police said the investigation revealed the suspect had fled in a vehicle, but they have no description yet.
Police also said the investigation revealed the Hawkins and two associates were involved in an earlier altercation with another group that included the suspect. The alleged altercation resulted in the suspect shooting at the victim and his associates while they were getting into their vehicle in the Colonie Center parking lot.
Police ask that anyone with more information about the incident call the Colonie Police Department at 783-2744.
