Five escaped injury in drive-by shooting

FORT COVINGTON — No one was hurt when a Fort Covington home was sprayed with bullets during a drive-by shooting at about 3:30 a.m. Monday.

State Police are looking for a dark sport-utility vehicle and any information from the public about the incident that occurred at a two-story home at the corner of Chateaugay Street (Route 37) and South Pike Street, a few doors from the Fort Covington Volunteer Fire Station.

At least 15 bullet holes are visible on the north-facing side of the home, high and to the left of two first-floor windows.

“We believe it was a long gun,” said Senior Bureau of Criminal Investigation Investigator Charles Bishop, adding that the bullets “were in very close proximity, very close” to hitting someone.

He said five people were in the home at the time, and one was a teenager.

“We still don’t have a good description of the vehicle, but we’re going to be looking at video from convenience stores in the area and see what we can find,” Bishop said.

“All we have is that it’s a dark-colored SUV, but that describes a majority of the vehicles around in this neck of the woods.

“What we really want to get out there is that this was not a random act,” the investigator said, meaning that the shooter intended to fire at this home.

NO NAMES RELEASED

Bishop would not discuss a possible motive in the case.

A woman and man came onto a porch at the side of the house late Monday afternoon long enough to say they did not want to speak to a reporter.

“We have no comment,” the unidentified woman said. “We have nothing to say at this time.”

State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Capt. Robert LaFountain said there would be little to share about the incident.

“We will not be releasing names, at this point, because it is pending further investigation. There are several leads that we are pursuing.

“Until we have had an opportunity to go through and collect all the evidence, no further information will be released so that the investigation is not jeopardized.

“Hopefully, we will have more information in the coming days as the investigation continues.”

At one point, as many as 15 uniformed and plain-clothes investigators and troopers were at the home, including those from the Troop B Forensic Identification Unit.

Franklin County District Attorney Derek Champagne is involved in the investigation but could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

Bishop said the search for the vehicle is concentrated in the United States for now. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police on the American side of the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation and Akwesasne Mohawk Police on the Canadian side have been contacted, as well.

Anyone with information is asked to call State Police at 483-5000.