Poughkeepsie man claims he shot, killed man on Morgan Avenue in self-defense: police

A.J. Martelli | Poughkeepsie Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption City of Poughkeepsie police respond to shooting on Morgan Avenue City of Poughkeepsie police respond to shooting on Morgan Avenue

A 24-year-old Poughkeepsie man shot and killed a 21-year-old in the City of Poughkeepsie Monday.

Then, he called the police and waited for them to arrive.

The 24-year-old claims to have shot the fellow city resident in self-defense, city police said. He was released Monday, pending a grand jury investigation.

Det. Lt. Matt Clark said the shooter was not charged with any crime because, "based on the evidence and statements we have and discussion with the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office, there is not enough evidence or statements to disprove his claim of self-defense..."

Neither the shooter or the victim were identified by police.

At 12:09 p.m. Monday multiple calls were made to 911 reporting a shooting in the area of Morgan Avenue, according to police, which noted one call came from the shooter, requesting emergency medical services respond to the scene.

The 21-year-old had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, police said. He was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead at 12:58 p.m. A handgun was recovered from under the man, according to police.

The 24-year-old had already unloaded the handgun used and placed it on a seat of his vehicle when police arrived and retrieved it. The man holds a Dutchess County Pistol Permit, police said and, after claiming self-defense, he requested a lawyer.

The shooter was brought into police headquarters, where a public defender called on his right to remain silent, police said. He was released and, as he has not been charged with a crime, "no restrictions on his movement can be made," Clark said.

Two witnesses came to the station and police said they shared what they saw and heard from the incident.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting is urged to call City of Poughkeepsie Police at 845-451-7577.

There have been at least seven shootings in the City of Poughkeepsie this year, Clark said, including three gun-related homicides.

In 2018, there were 11 shooting incidents in the City of Poughkeepsie involving injury, according to Journal archives.

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4836; Twitter: @AJ_Martelli.

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