Bullet ends up in Watervliet bedroom wall

Suspect arrested; 6-year-old sleeping in room uninjured

Police said they arrested a 17-year-old from Troy after a gunshot was fired through several apartments late Wednesday, the bullet ending up embedded in in the wall of a bedroom where a 6-yearold was sleeping.

When Watervliet police went to Joslin Apartment Complex on 2nd Avenue for the 10:13 p.m. call they found a bullet entry hole in an outside building wall which had traveled through several interior apartment walls, including the bedroom where the child was sleeping. No injuries were reported, and authorities don’t believe the shots targeted any specific person or residence.

But the shooting left the parents terrified, said city Police Chief Joseph L. Centanni.

“The thought of what could have been should be terrifying to the entire Watervliet community,” Centanni said in a statement. “This senseless act of violence strengthens the department’s resolve in ridding our streets of these offenders.”

An investigation determined the bullet was fired from an outdoor courtyard area inside the housing complex. The suspect was located nearby and arrested without incident, police said Thursday. Police also found a loaded semi-automatic .40 caliber handgun, which was not legally registered and had a defaced serial number.

The suspect faces felony charges, including criminal possession of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment, as well as two misdemeanor charges. The defendant was arraigned and sent to a secured detention facility pending a

Family Court hearing.

The suspect is reported to be on probation for a previous unrelated robbery arrest, police said.

Watervliet Police thanked the Cohoes and Green Island police departments for their assistance.