POUGHKEEPSIE – The City of Poughkeepsie was plagued by gunfire on Tuesday. One man was killed, two others were shot, and several people were forced to seek shelter during a gun battle on Tuesday night.
A recreational softball game at the city’s College Hill Ballpark was interrupted when gunfire erupted during the game. The adult players, many accompanied by spouses and young children were forced to seek shelter after occupants of a car began shooting at an unknown target just outside of the field’s entrance on Tuesday at about 8:30 p.m. The target returned fire. Witnesses say at least 20 rounds were fired between the two parties.
“I saw a red car pull into the parking lot, circle around, and head back towards Bartlett Street,” said one game attendee. “When the car approached the ballfield exit at Bartlett, someone in the car began shooting at someone on the west side of Bartlett. It sounded like a war zone and we could see the muzzle flashes,” he said. One of our players, a retired cop, was yelling for everyone to seek ‘hard cover’ and made sure the children were secured. There were probably 20 shots exchanged,” the man said.
There were no injuries reported at the scene. While police were interviewing witnesses, a series of gunshots rang out at about 9:00 pm, causing officers and witnesses to seek shelter. An estimated 10 rounds were fired with officers indicating that the origin was from the Smith Street projects less than a block away from Bartlett Street.
At least two police units left the original crime scene to investigate the latest gunfire.
City of Poughkeepsie Police are asking for anyone with information to call their confidential TIPS line at 845-451-7577.
