Mount Vernon police official fired following arrest in Bronx shooting investigation
Mt. Vernon deputy police commissioner arrested
Mount Vernon fired Deputy Police Commissioner Jennifer Lackard, who has been charged with attempted murder. FOX 5 NY's Richard Giacovas has the latest.
MOUNT VERNON - Mount Vernon fired Jennifer Lackard, a deputy police commissioner, on Tuesday following her arrest in a New York City shooting investigation.
What we know:
Lackard, 49, was charged with attempted murder and more than a dozen other counts related to a late-night shooting on June 29 in the Bronx, the NYPD said.
Lackard's 20-year-old son, Chase Lackard, was also charged in the case.
City of Mount Vernon
The NYPD said officers had responded to a 911 call that night about shots fired in the area of East 162 Street and Grand Avenue in the 44 Precinct at around 11:57 p.m. According to police, officers were told an unidentified individual fired at a group of people and then fled the scene in a vehicle.
According to investigators, Chase Lackard fired a gun that night at a group of people outside the Bronx criminal court, though nobody was hurt. Authorities said he then jumped into a vehicle driven by his mother, who sped away from the scene.
What they're saying:
In a statement, the City of Mount Vernon said it was aware of the charges filed by the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office against Lackard, the police department's deputy commissioner of wellness, and her employment was terminated "effective immediately."
"The allegations are unrelated to her duties with the Mount Vernon Police Department and do not stem from any conduct associated with the Department or the performance of her official responsibilities," the city's statement said. "The Mount Vernon Police Department remains fully committed to its nationally recognized Wellness Unit. The department will continue to operate without interruption, and the critical wellness services and support it provides to our officers, civilian employees, their families and the community at large will continue as part of the Department's ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of its workforce."
Dig deeper:
While Jennifer Lackard had no criminal history in the city prior to her arrest, her son is an alleged member of a group known as the "Slutty Gang."
Back in November 2024, police said Chase Lackard pointed a loaded gun at several officers in the Soundview section of the Bronx. The officers fired at him and he was brought to the hospital in stable condition.
Jennifer Lackard is due back in court on September 25. Chase Lackard was awaiting arraignment, which could happen as soon as Wednesday.
The Source: This article is based on information from the City of Mount Vernon and NYPD.