Schenectady police release name of officer who fired weapon; 15-year-old charged

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

Schenectady police put up tape in the area where an officer shot a stolen vehicle Friday.

SCHENECTADY — The Schenectady Police Department released the name of the police officer who shot a stolen car on Hulett Street Friday afternoon. The officer fired his weapon as the driver allegedly drove toward him.

Police also charged a 15-year-old who allegedly was inside the car and fled on foot with another person who is still at large.

According to an update on the Schenectady Police Department’s website, the officer involved in the incident is Sgt Adam Willetts, a 10-year veteran of the department who was promoted to sergeant in July 2018.

The 15-year-old is one of two people believed to have been in the car when Willetts shot it. The teen has been charged with three felonies: first-degree attempted assault; first-degree reckless endangerment; and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

The teenager falls under state law that limits charging teens 17 and under as adults, except in cases of violent crimes or sexual assaults. The law also prohibits police from revealing the name of the teen unless the teen is charged as an adult.

In the Facebook post, Schenectady police said the 15-year-old was transported to a secure detention facility Friday night and will remain there pending a future Family Court date.

“The incident remains under investigation and at this time there is no further information available,” the post reads.

Willet fired once at the car, striking it, police said. However, it was unclear if either of the two occupants was injured by the shot.

On Friday police said the 15-year-old suffered a face abrasion, but it was unclear if that was from the bullet or if it happened while he was taken into custody.

Department protocol calls for officers involved in shootings to be placed on paid administrative leave, city police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Dearing said Friday night.

All city police officers are equipped with bodycams. As part of the investigation, officials will review the footage, as well as footage generated by in-car dashboard cameras.