Summer Of Violence Continues In Albany

As the summer begins to progress, so does the increase in gun violence! Albany has already seen 56 shootings this year with over 75 victims. The summer has really only just begun and two of the most recent victims were teenagers.

On Monday night, an unknown suspect shot a 14-year-old child in the leg while he was walking in the area of Ontario Street and Benson Avenue. The teen was treated for non-life-threatening injuries in a local hospital.

Around 12:30 this morning, another 14-year-old child was shot. This shooting occurred in the area of First Street and Lexington Avenue. The teenager sustained gunshot wounds to the shoulder and leg. There was another victim in this shooting, a 34-year-old man who was shot in the back. Both of these victims were transported to the Albany Medical Center Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officer Steve Smith spoke to News 6, about these incidents he said, “It’s certainly concerning. Like I said before, what we have learned through a lot of our investigations is that these incidents are between people who know each other. They’re either individuals or groups that have some sort of conflict with each other and unfortunately, they’re settling these conflicts with gun violence. Right now our investigators are working around the clock to try to determine who is responsible.”

All of these shootings are still under investigation, with no one in custody at this time. Police officials ask that anyone with information call the Albany Police Detective Division at 518–462–8039.

I believe that all of this gun violence is a result of a much bigger problem, society is sick and we have to do better. If we could improve our educational system and the economic environment, we would probably see a decrease in gun violence. A lot of these problems start at home everyone knows violence and poverty go hand and hand. Also if over 50 people have been shot, then why has only 1 person been arrested? That’s my take, what’s yours?