At approximately 1:30AM, PSD responded to a report of shots fired at the bottom of the Helix, in front of 2-4 River Road. There were no injuries, and no arrests were made as two suspects fled the scene. NYPD arrived at the scene at approximately 2:00AM, at which time PSD provided all pertinent information regarding the incident to them. This is now an NYPD investigation; no firearms were recovered at the scene….
During the July 22 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD) Community Engagement meeting, I asked PSD Chief Kevin Brown:
Is there any update to the the gunshots that were heard overnight July 4th, early morning July 5th? And were the gunshots directed at anybody? … Was it just one incident or two separate incidents?…
Chief Brown replied:
The gunshots were not directed at anyone at the time….
NYPD 114 Precinct Community Affairs Officer Gabe Tovar reported:
… overnight there was that shooting.,,, it doesn’t look like it was aiming at anybody. But nonetheless we do have a person of interest that we’re looking at and we’re conducting an investigation on it.
I can’t tell you too much about the investigation but if you have any information about it and would like to share it, you can call Crimestoppers which is at 1 800 577 TIPS. You can also call the precinct detective squad and that would be 718-626-9334. You can also send an email to Crimestoppers…
Chief Brown added:
… I have read a few times that there was confusion on the address of where it happened. It was 2-4 River Road…. There was just one incident…
According to NYPD 114 precinct Sergeant David Gomez:
I spoke with the Detective Sergeant. He was saying there was a gun arrest made that same night. They’re trying to link it if that’s the same person. They don’t know at this time, but they’re trying to get more information, so if you guys know anything let them know so they can try to connect it to this person that that was arrested that same night with the firearm.
On Monday, July 28, I asked the NYPD:
Has there been any update to the investigation?
A NYPD spokesperson answered:
There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing.
Here’s the July 22 PSD Community Engagement discussion.
Other issues were discussed during the meeting including:
- Low crime rate on Roosevelt Island,
- Domestic violence, homeless and mental health incidents,
- Reduction in shoplifting at Duane Reade,
- Increased issuance of parking tickets (thousands of tickets are being given out),
- Vehicles making illegal U-turns,
- Getting PSD officers out of cars, not driving on sidewalks and patrolling on foot and bicycles,
- PSD will begin ticketing for not picking up dog poop or unleashed dog as long as they see it occurring,
- Homeless shelter youth occupying areas of Roosevelt Landings buildings,
- Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso explained what PSD officers are permitted and not permitted to do,
- Life ring buoys installed on East River waterfront promenade to prevent drowning,
- August 5 National Night Out with law enforcement
- and August 28 School book bag giveway.
Watch the full video above for the discussion of these issues and more.