Shots fired in Philmont lead to attempted murder charge

PHILMONT — A shooting in the Columbia County village of Philmont led to an intense daylong search for the alleged gunman, who was eventually arrested and now faces an attempted murder charge.

Jayden T. Lockenwitz, 18, of Philmont, also stands charged with five counts of reckless endangerment, felonies, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, as well as a felony weapons charge.

The incident started on Saturday when Lockenwitz confronted another man outside a Church Street apartment in the village, according to the Columbia County Sheriff

’s Office. At some point during the ensuing argument, Lockenwitz allegedly fired a handgun multiple times at the other man, according to the sheriff ’s office. The man was not hit, nor were several people in the immediate vicinity.

Police were called to the scene at about 4:20 p.m., but Lockenwitz had fled before their arrival, the sheriff ’s office said.

A warrant was issued by the local court for Lockenwitz, leading to an “intense search” by the sheriff ’s office, the State Police, and the Philmont Police Department.

The next day, police learned Lockenwitz was in a vehicle with two other males driving a few miles away in Claverack and pulled over the vehicle just before 8 p.m. One of the passengers allegedly threw an object out of one of the windows containing 53 grams of crack and powder cocaine, according to the sheriff ’s office.

Both men were taken into custody, and police said they found a loaded 9 mm handgun on Lockenwitz and drug paraphernalia on another passenger, who was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and tampering with physical evidence, all felonies. The suspects were arraigned in the Village of Philmont Court, with Lockenwitz remanded to the Columbia County Jail with no bail set.

Columbia County Sheriff

Don Krapf said in a statement that members of his force “work both day and night and in collaboration with any and all public safety offices to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions,” adding that the alleged “actions of this young man showed no regard whatsoever for the safety and well-being of the public.”

“These heinous crimes will not be tolerated!” the statement concluded.

Further arrests are possible in the case. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff ’s Office Criminal Investigative Branch at 518-828-4316.