Arrest In Porch Shooting In Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, NY — The Mount Vernon Police Department on Thursday released the identity of a man arrested over the Aug. 17 shooting of a 41-year-old city resident. Phillip Ballinger Jr., 23, of Mount Vernon, has been charged with Assault in the 1st degree.

The incident occurred at about 9 a.m. while the victim was sitting on the front porch of his home listening to music. He was approached and shot twice in the neck. Authorities believe this was a targeted action and not a random incident. The victim is currently hospitalized in stable condition.

“The Mount Vernon Police Department will not tolerate these senseless acts of violence in our city," Chief Richton Ziadie said, "The men and women of the Mount Vernon Police Department work vigorously to bring to justice anyone committing these crimes.”

This arrest is unrelated to the shooting events that occurred on Tuesday, which are still under investigation.

Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call the Mount Vernon Police Department Detective Division at 914-665-2510 or send an anonymous text message to (Text-a-Tip) by texting “MPVD” and your tip to 847411.

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