Albany Rocked by Two Shootings Hours Apart; Mass Casualties Reported on Livingston Avenue
Albany, NY – The city of Albany is reeling after a violent and chaotic overnight that saw two separate shooting incidents just hours apart, leaving multiple victims wounded and sending shockwaves through the community. Police are now investigating a mass shooting on Livingston Avenue that unfolded in the early morning hours, only hours after an earlier outbreak of gunfire occurred on Madison Avenue.
Livingston Avenue Mass Shooting
Shortly after 2:00 a.m., Albany police were called to the 200 block of Livingston Avenue following reports of gunfire and multiple people shot. When officers arrived, they found a chaotic scene with several victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
According to Albany Police Department spokesperson Steve Smith, multiple units responded to the scene, where they secured the area and began providing aid to the wounded. Emergency Medical Services transported the victims to local hospitals, though the exact number of those injured has not yet been confirmed publicly. Some are believed to be in critical condition.
“It was absolute chaos,” said a resident who lives near the scene. “I heard at least 10 or 12 shots back to back. Then people were screaming, running – it was terrifying.”
The area around Livingston Avenue has since been cordoned off as detectives canvass for witnesses, surveillance footage, and evidence. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting as of Saturday morning, and police have not yet released a description of the suspect or suspects involved.
Earlier Violence on Madison Avenue
The Livingston Avenue shooting comes on the heels of another violent incident that took place just hours earlier on Madison Avenue, one of Albany’s busiest thoroughfares. That incident, which occurred around 10:45 p.m. Friday night, also involved multiple shots fired and at least one individual wounded.
Officers say they were already stretched thin responding to that first shooting when reports of the Livingston Avenue shooting began flooding in.
“We are deeply disturbed by the level of gun violence we saw overnight,” said Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins during a press briefing Saturday morning. “This is not who we are as a city. We are working tirelessly to investigate both of these incidents and bring those responsible to justice.”
A City on Edge
The back-to-back shootings have left residents shaken and demanding answers. Many are calling on city officials to address the root causes of gun violence and provide more support for prevention programs, youth engagement, and community-based policing.
“It feels like every weekend, we’re hearing about another shooting,” said local activist Jameel Thompson. “Our communities are crying out. We need more than just police tape and press conferences. We need real investment in safety and opportunity.”
The recent surge in violence has also drawn the attention of local elected officials. Mayor Kathy Sheehan issued a statement Saturday expressing concern over the events and pledging full support for the police department’s investigations.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families,” the mayor said. “This senseless violence must end. We are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure the safety of our neighborhoods.”
Ongoing Investigation
As of Saturday afternoon, police are still working to determine whether the shootings on Livingston and Madison Avenues are connected or if they were separate, unrelated incidents. Investigators are urging anyone with information, video footage, or eyewitness accounts to come forward.
Community members with tips can contact the Albany Police Department’s Detective Division at 518-462-8039. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via Capital Region Crime Stoppers.
“We cannot do this alone,” said Chief Hawkins. “We need the community’s help to stop the violence and ensure accountability.”