Three others now charged in November Saratoga Springs shooting; Utica men face misdemeanors

Police collect evidence on a downtown sidewalk — PHOTOGRAPHER: Erica Miller

The scene in November

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Three more people have been charged in connection with the November shooting incident in downtown Saratoga Springs durign which officers shot and injured a man, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Officials did not outline the three individuals’ alleged roles in the incident, what specifically they are accused of doing, but all three face one count of third-degree attempted assault, a misdemeanor. The maximum term upon conviction of that charge is three months in jail.

Their charges are in contrast to off-duty Vermont sheriff’s deputy Vito Caselnova, who was indicted Tuesday on charges of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault, charges that each carry potential sentences of up to 25 years in prison upon conviction.

Prosecutors identified the three men charged with attempted assault as Alexander Colon, 29, Darius Wright, 30, and Christopher Castillo, 29, all of Utica.

They were each charged at the direction of the grand jury that heard the case, officials said.

The three were released and are due to be arraigned in court next month, officials said.

Caselnova, 25, of Glens Falls, appeared in court Monday on his indictment which also included charges of possession of a firearm in a sensitive location and two counts of possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

All of these charges stem from an early morning incident on Nov. 20 when Saratoga Springs police officers responded about 3 a.m. to the corner of Broadway and Caroline Street due to reports of a shooting.

Officials said that Caselnova was seen holding a leveled handgun after several patrol officers encountered him. He was told multiple times to disarm before officers opened fire, officials have said.

Police said Caselnova suffered 10 bullet wounds, but survived. He appeared in court Tuesday alongside his attorneys.

Caselnova’s girlfriend, Cali Brown, was also shot in the arm during the incident and has filed a notice of claim against the city and police department alleging negligence and carelessness.

Colon, who was granted an order of protection for Colon for one year, was confirmed Tuesday to be the other person involved in the incident. He was also struck amid the gunfire and taken to the hospital.