ITHACA, N.Y.—Ithaca Police responded to two shootings on Monday, one of which evolved into a car chase in which gunfire was being exchanged between the two vehicles. At the time, it’s unknown if both shootings were related, though both are being investigated by police.
The first incident began at Washington Park, where police responded to reports of a shooting underway. Officers were on their way to the scene around 5:47 p.m., but while enroute were told that a dark color BMW was being chased by a light color pick-up truck, and occupants of the car were shooting at each other.
Police report that the vehicles headed west through the City, eventually getting onto Hector Street where the pick-up truck crashed into the BMW, forcing it off the road. The occupants of the BMW fled westbound on foot, and the light colored pick-up truck was able to drive from the scene, fleeing via Fallview Terrace.
IPD said that much of this journey was pieced together through witness accounts near the scene of the crash, and information from 911 callers. Police believe many more people witnessed at least parts of the incident and are asking for the public’s help. No suspect descriptions were provided.
Later on Monday, around 10:25 p.m., officers responded to reports of a second shooting. Police received multiple calls of gunshots being heard in the area of Hancock and First Streets in the Northside neighborhood. Bullet fragments were found at the scene as well as broken glass, though police didn’t find damage to any surrounding vehicles. They concluded that the involved vehicle likely left the scene with window damage.
“It is still unknown if this shooting is related to the one that occurred earlier in the day but, the Ithaca Police Criminal Investigative Division is currently looking into that,” said IPD’s press release. “If anyone in the area has surveillance cameras the IPD is asking you to check them and contact us if there is any helpful footage.”
Contact with the Ithaca Police Department can be made by any of the following means and those who wish to remain anonymous may do so.
Police Dispatch: (607)272-3245
Police Administration: (607)272-9973
Police Tipline: (607)330-0000
Email: policeinfo@cityofithaca.org
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to the shooting at Hancock and 1st as being in the Fall Creek Neighborhood of Ithaca.