ITHACA, N.Y. – Here’s a summary of all the major ongoing investigations in the city.
1. Double shooting at Chuck’s Mobil Gas Station
While on routine patrol on June 22, Ithaca Police Officers reported sounds of shots fired at approximately 1:45 a.m. Police say they responded in the direction of the shots and located a victim of a gunshot wound in the parking lot of Chuck’s Mobil Gas station.
Police said they were shortly notified of another victim, who had reportedly fled northbound to Fastrac, a neighboring gas station up the block.
At least five witnesses in the area at the time reported hearing multiple shots fired. One witness stated he was parked at Fastrac when he heard the shots, and saw a man run into the gas station with blood streaming from his chest moments later. Both victims survived their injuries.
Acting Police Chief Pete Tyler said that IPD has a suspect at this time and “would be confident bringing charges against them in the future.” However, Tyler added that neither victim of the shooting is currently cooperating with police. He said that until police have a victim willing to press charges, the suspect has not been charged with anything yet.
2. Shots fired at Willow and Lake
On July 1, IPD officers responded to the area of Willow Avenue and Lake Avenue around 12:34 p.m. after it was reported that a handgun was discharged. IPD arrived to the scene of the reported dispute and spoke to several witnesses. One shell casing was retrieved at the scene.
Tyler said witnesses at the scene stated that they had observed one person fire a round into the air, but not in the direction of any person. Witnesses described the shooter as a black male, early 20’s, approximately 5’10 tall, 180 pounds, and was last seen wearing a dark colored shirt and black and white basketball type shorts. The investigation is still ongoing.
3. Bank Robbery
At about 8:30 a.m. on June 6, police say they reported to the Tompkins Employees Federal Credit Union on Taughannock Boulevard, which was robbed at gunpoint.
Police reported that a man entered the bank and pointed a handgun at several employees. He allegedly ordered the teller to give him money, to which the bank teller complied. With an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect then fled on foot, police say. Footage was later released from the bank to help identify the suspect.
Tyler said that while the investigation is still ongoing, the IPD investigations department is working closely with the FBI to recover the suspect.
“We have received many leads on this thanks to the public input,” Tyler said.
4. Vitamin Shoppe robbery
On July 8 around 4 p.m., police responded to The Vitamin Shoppe at 719 S. Meadow St. in Ithaca after a reported robbery.
Police say the suspect entered the store, displayed a handgun and demanded all the money from the registers.
Police describe the suspect as a thin, young black man who was wearing a black hoodie and baggy jean-type pants. He was last seen running southeast through the parking lot area, toward Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. There are currently no suspects, leads, arrests or updates related to the incident at this time.