Two Teens Arrested In Connection With December Shootout In Yonkers

YONKERS, NY — Two teens have been charged with attempted murder in what police describe as a shootout in the heart of Yonkers.

On Dec. 28, just after 8:30 p.m., Yonkers police were called to Garfield Street, on reports of a man shot. First responders on the scene found a man with a gunshot wound to his leg. He was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was said to be in stable condition at the time.

The 18-year-old gunshot victim was later identified as Ku-Shown Jefferson.

Officers found the scene of the shooting on nearby Yonkers Avenue.

Detectives from the Major Case Squad, the Crime Scene Unit, and the Digital Forensics Unit arrived on the scene and interviewed subjects and witnesses, processed forensic and ballistic evidence and recovered surveillance video.

Investigators said that while Jefferson was apparently the victim of a crime, he is also believed to have been involved in a violent dispute where he and a second man exchanged gunfire, in public, in the area of Yonkers Avenue at Walnut Street. Police said they believe that both men knew each other, and the shooting was the culmination of an ongoing dispute.

After the shooting, both men fled the scene, but emergency services were called to tend to one of the suspects. The injured suspect was eventually placed under arrest.

Police report finding a Glock 9mm caliber handgun at the scene.

On January 6, members of the Mount Vernon Police Department Violent Crimes Unit captured the second suspect and recovered two illegally possessed handguns, including one with a thirty-round magazine.

"Any acts of violence, especially brazen acts such as this that puts innocent lives in danger, will elicit the maximum law enforcement response from the Yonkers Police and our partners in Westchester County," Yonkers Police Commissioner Chris Sapienza said. "Gun violence will never become a routine occurrence in our communities, and we will always commit every resource to delivering bad actors into the Criminal Justice System where they must be held accountable to the full extent of the law. Thank you FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force and Mount Vernon PD for your assistance and continued efforts in keeping Westchester safe."

On December 30, just days after the shooting, Yonkers police arrested Jefferson. He is charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment, all considered felonies. Jefferson is scheduled to be back in court on January 23.

On January 6, Mount Vernon police arrested Donte Ramsey, an 18-year-old resident of Mount Vernon. He is charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment, all considered felonies. Ramsey is scheduled to be back in court on January 31.