2 Children Among 3 Shot In Schenectady; Suspect In Custody

SCHENECTADY, NY — Three people were shot in Schenectady Tuesday, including two children, as police swarmed the area of the shooting on Union Street. At a press conference, Schenectady police said the suspect was taken into custody but charges have not yet been filed as the investigation is still in early stages.

Police said the suspect was identified as Deshawn Howard, a man in his late 40s. Just before 1 p.m., police received a call about a person shot on Union Street and when police arrived on scene they found that a child had been shot. Police soon found a second child victim and as officers surrounding the house where the shooting happened, a third victim was found who is an adult.

Police said they realized that the suspect was possibly in the house and there was also an infant child in the home. New York State Police were called in for backup and police soon learned that the suspect may have fled on foot.

The infant was brought out of the home unharmed, police said. Around 3:18 p.m., Howard was taken into custody. Police said Howard had a gunshot wound that appeared to be self-inflicted. Authorities were going to release the suspect's name to the public to aid in the search but a tip to police dispatch led to his capture.

The two children who were shot are in stable condition, police said.

Police did not say what the relation between Howard and the victims were and did not confirm whether he lived in the home.

Patch will update this report.

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