Shots fired report on DeWitt Street leads to attempted murder charge
At approximately 8:45 p.m. Feb. 6, 2020, Utica police were dispatched to Erie Street and Dewitt Street for a shots-fired investigation. Upon arrival, officers immediately located four spent shell casings in the roadway near the intersection.
Upon speaking with individuals near the scene, it was learned that a specific vehicle was witnessed leaving the location immediately following the shots fired.
As a result, a be-on-the-lookout was issued, alerting officers to stop and detain the vehicle and occupants if it should be located. Within a very short time, a field training officer and his trainee located the vehicle and initiated a stop near Oneida Square; the occupants were detained and brought to the Utica Police Department as part of the investigation.
After nonstop investigative work since yesterday evening, enough evidence was developed to charge Jason Rodriguez, 35, of Utica, with second-degree attempted murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.
Additional arrest made in connection with Feb. 5, 2020, incident
Another arrest has been made on the shots-fired incident occurring Feb. 5 on Brinckerhoff Avenue.
Police say four individuals have been arrested in this incident, and they believe – based on the evidence at hand – that they have identified and charged all of the parties directly involved in the incident.
On Feb. 10, the final individual turned himself into the Utica Police Department.
Yvontae Wheeler, 27, of Utica was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, three counts of second-degree criminal using drug paraphernalia, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.