Troy teen arrested during shots fired incident

WATERVLIET, N.Y. » Patrol officers were recently dispatched to the Watervliet Housing Authority’s Joslin Apartment Complex, located at 2400 2nd Ave. for a shots fired incident.

Shortly after arrival to the scene, officers saw a bullet entry hole in an exterior building wall which traveled through several interior apartment walls, including the bedroom where a six-year-old child was sleeping.

“This incident terrified the parents of a 6-year-old child who was awakened to find that a bullet was fired through her wall. The thought of what could have been should be terrifying to the entire Watervliet community. This senseless act of violence strengthens the department’s resolve in ridding our streets of these offenders,” Watervliet Police Chief Joseph L. Centanni remarked.

The investigation determined the bullet was fired from an outdoor courtyard area inside the housing complex. A suspect was located nearby and arrested without incident. In addition, a loaded semi-automatic .40 caliber handgun was secured by Watervliet police.

The handgun was not legally registered and had a defaced serial number. Lastly, a bullet projectile was recovered from the bedroom wall of the six-year-old. No one was injured during this incident. At this time, police do not believe the shots were targeted at any specific person or residence.

The suspect, is 17, of Troy. He was charged with felony second-degree criminal possession of a firearm, felony third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, felony first-degree reckless endangerment, misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child, and misdemeanor fourthdegree criminal mischief.

Police noted the suspect is also on probation for a previous unrelated robbery arrest. The juvenile suspect was arraigned and remanded to a secured detention facility pending a family court proceeding scheduled later Thursday.

Cohoes and Green Island police also assisted with the investigation.