Man accused in April downtown Schenectady graffiti arrested with ax in weekend NYC protests, records show

PHOTOGRAPHER: NYPD

The ax and knives NYPD say were taken from Daniel Shockley

SCHENECTADY — A Clifton Park man arrested in April on charges he spray painted politically-charged graffiti around downtown Schenectady has been arrested again, in New York City, accused of carrying an ax with a sign taped to it at weekend protests there, according to police there and records.

Daniel Shockley, 25, of Evergreen Avenue, was in New York City Saturday evening as part of the protests when offices saw him carrying the ax and sign. The sign read “BOOMERS ASKED 4 JUSTICE MILLENNIALS DEMAND JUSTICE,” according to New York City police.

Officers spotted him with the ax at Union Square West and East 17th Street at about 7:30 p.m. They stopped him and found him with additional knives, police said.

The NYPD highlighted the arrest in a tweet from its @NYPDnews account just after 10 p.m. Saturday night, though the tweet did not name Shockley.

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“Tonight, officers from the @NYPD10Pct arrested a demonstrator whose sign “axed” for justice. He was charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon,” the tweet read. “We respect the right to peacefully protest, but remain vigilant for these types of threats.”

Tonight, officers from the @NYPD10Pct arrested a demonstrator whose sign “axed” for justice. He was charged with 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon.

We respect the right to peacefully protest, but remain vigilant for these type of threats. pic.twitter.com/GPc4X208sm

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 7, 2020

The New York Daily News identified Shockley in an article posted Sunday and noted he was also found with spray paint.

New York Daily News: NYC BLM protester with ax duct-taped to sign arrested with knives and spray paint: cops

Shockley was charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, misdemeanors, along with possession of a graffiti instrument, police said.

The arrest comes about seven weeks after Shockley was arrested in Schenectady and charged with multiple counts of criminal mischief — two misdemeanor counts and one felony count — for allegedly spray painting graffiti around downtown.

Trustco was one of the locations tagged in a spree that left politically-charged rhetoric, satanic imagery and calls for a “rent strike” at numerous locations, including the former Gazette press building, the Jay Street Walkway and the rail trestle behind the Statue of Liberty at the corner of Union Street and Erie Boulevard.

“Trump lies, COVID kills,” reads one message painted on a set of metal doors on the Clinton Street building that formerly housed the Taj Mahal.

“No bank bailout!!” another read.

Previous: Arrest made in downtown Schenectady vandalism spree, April 23, 2020

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The felony count relates to graffiti applied to an ATM behind Saratoga National Bank that caused an estimated $773 in damage. He is charged in the ATM case, as well as graffiti to the trestle and to the Key Bank building.

He was processed and released. Due to delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, he remains awaiting arraignment. He is due to make his initial Schenectady court appearance later this month.

Gazette reporter Pete DeMola contributed to this story.