Mayor, Police Address Recent Shootings, Ask For Public’s Cooperation

JAMESTOWN – Officials in Jamestown are asking for the public’s cooperation following several shootings in the past few months.

City of Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist, during a press conference Tuesday morning, emphasized that it is important to update the community.

“I don’t want the public to remain in the dark on the details of these shootings,” said Sundquist. “We are open to hearing the public’s concerns and want to inform them of the efforts in these cases.”

“It is essential that we do not deny that a problem exists by not saying anything publicly, in doing so would be a disservice to the community,” furthered Sundquist.

Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings updated several recent shooting incidents including one at the Bullfrog Hotel, Bar & Grill in November.

“Our shooting victim has retained an attorney and we have made multiple attempts to interview our shooting victim through his attorney with no response,” said Snellings. “So, we’ve taken that investigation and turned it over to the district attorney’s office for further review and consideration.”

The chief says his department has identified a suspect in the recent Hazzard Street shooting case, although detectives still need to interview the victim who was hospitalized.

Furthermore, Snellings says many of the shootings, which are connected, stem from clashes between Jamestown and Buffalo gang members who are selling drugs.

He says in recent years home surveillance has proved to be a valuable tool for investigators.

“If you see something, have that video, please contact us,” said Snellings. “You can remain anonymous to an extent; the new discovery laws create a challenge so we do have to turn that information over at some point, but we will work with that.”

The chief says the community can reach out to the police department via their Tip411 smartphone app or at (716) 483-TIPS.