Shots exchanged on Amsterdam street; one suspect faces charges

PHOTOGRAPHER: Edward Munger Jr.

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Police said gunshots came from a car on Union Street Monday night and somebody standing in a crowd may have fired back.

No injuries were reported following the 9:40 p.m. incident, which led to the arrest of a Union Street resident, according to a news release from the Amsterdam Police Department.

Raul Vasquez, 21, also known as “Chicken,” of 18 Union St., was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree menacing and other charges unrelated to the incident.

Police said less-than-cooperative witnesses told police a late model, dark vehicle drove by a group of people on Union Street when a male fired a gun in their direction. Police allege Vasquez fired shots from the car.

Police believe, from interviews with witnesses, that somebody in the crowd then fired shots back as the vehicle sped off.

A disturbance call on Brookside Avenue later in the evening led police to Vasquez.

Police Lt. Det. Kurt Conroy said the Brookside Avenue disturbance may have been spillover from the earlier incident on Union Street.

Police were told people were seen carrying guns on Brookside Avenue and they allege Vasquez was found carrying .22-caliber ammunition and a pistol.

Police in the release said investigators learned Vasquez gave officers a false name during an Aug. 11 arrest on Union Street involving a BB gun. Vasquez was additionally charged with second-degree forgery and false personation.

Conroy said police are checking the neighborhood for bullet holes in homes or trees.

Conroy said police are running into difficulties getting information from witnesses but they hope to find out who returned fire at the car.