Lansinburgh quadruple homicide victims identitifed
TROY, N.Y. » City police have identified the four victims involved in a quadruple homicide in Lansingburgh, but as of early Thursday afternoon, authorities are not releasing further information about the case.
Troy Police Department spokesman Capt. Daniel DeWolf said in a Thursday news release that the victims are Shanta Myers, 36, her two children, Jeremiah Myers, 11 and Shanise Myers, 5, and Brandi Mells, 22.
“At this time we will not be discussing or confirming the method of death or anything regarding the scene of the crime. I know there have been some reports by some media outlets stating that information,” DeWolf said in an email Thursday. “The Troy Police Department has not yet released any such information. The investigation is continuing and is very active. As I’m sure you are all aware, certain information from a crime scene aids in the investigative process. Compromising that information only makes it more difficult for detectives. Evidence technicians remain at the scene, but Second Avenue between 102nd and 103rd streets was reopened Thursday.
The four bodies were found Tuesday afternoon in a basement apartment at 158 2nd Ave. by a property manager responding to a call asking him to check on the tenants in that apartment. Police remain at the scene, with state police and parole officers, as well as Rensselaer County sheriff’s deputies, assisting city police.
City Police Chief John Tedesco asked anyone with information — no matter how inconsequential they believe it may be — to call detectives at 518-270-4421 or visit the new Capital Region Crimestoppers website at www.capitalregioncrimestoppers.com.
Jeremiah who was also known as “JJ” and his younger sister Shanise were both students within the Troy City School District and Jeremiah was also an active member at the Troy Boys and Girls Club.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of this tragic event. The Troy City School District is a close and supportive community and the loss of two of our innocent children is especially devastating,” Superintendent of Schools John Carmello said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “Our hearts are broken and our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their family and loved ones during this terribly troubling time. Our crisis response team is currently in place at School 14 and Troy Middle School where the two children attended school. Grief counselors will remain in place next week when students return to school from the holiday recess.”
“Jeremiah “JJ” Myers, an 11 year old boy who tragically died alongside his family members this past weekend, was a member of the Troy Boys & Girls Club for the past six years,” according to a statement from the Troy Boys and Girls Club Thursday afternoon.”He was a quintessential ‘Club Kid’ who impacted the lives of so many staff, children and teens, parents and volunteers. The Troy Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors, staff, Club members and our entire Club community are shocked and saddened by this tragedy. It will be deeply felt by all his friends at the Club and throughout our community. We send our deepest condolences to the Myers family, and the many people that knew and loved them. We have arranged for grief counselors to be available through the Club for members and parents who are in need. Additionally, we are beginning fundraising efforts to help alleviate the cost of funeral and burial services. Anyone who may be interested in donating to this cause should visit the Troy Boys & Girls Club Facebook page.”
Jerry Ford, who is a leader of Team HERO within the Troy Boys and Girls Club, said that he had known JJ for at least the past eight years from his time at the boys and girls club along with knowing him from his son being best friends with JJ.
“JJ had the type of personality to brighten up a whole room,” recalled Ford. “He was the type of kid that he just brought a smile to your face and he just brought joy to your day, that’s the type of kid he was. He was a part of the dance program, he was an active part of the basketball team and was one of our susperstars on the basketball team [at the club].
Ford is also a leader of the Block Center program for young teens at the boys and girls club and he recalled how they started allowing members join the Block Center at age 11 recently and when the program was first started a few years ago JJ was only 9 years old.
“When we first started JJ was only 9 and he would try to swing into our sessions to be a part of what we were doing,” Ford said.
Jason Fenton has lived at 153 2nd Ave., which is across the street from 158 2nd Ave., for nearly 20 years and he remembers seeing the kids outdoors playing a lot, although he didn’t recall how long the family lived in the basement apartment of 158 2nd Ave.
“They mostly stayed in the back, all I would ever see were the kids [since] a bunch of kids would play in the front,” said Fenton as he started to become emotional standing outside his front door Thursday afternoon, “and you know that’s a tragedy.”
On Wednesday, Tedesco said that the department and other agencies will continue to work as hard as they can to solve the horrific crime. Tedesco said he expects parts of 2nd Avenue to remain blocked off during the investigation, with the street currently blocked between 102 and 103 streets.
“We’ll get through this by the grace of God and the power of our community,” Ford said.
The case would be just the second homicide investigation of the year. Dezmon T. Smith, 24, of Brooklyn, was gunned down just after 9 a.m. March 24 as he climbed into a taxi in front of a house on 6th Avenue, near the intersection with Hill and Jefferson streets. That case remains open.