Two Teens Shot in Poughkeepsie, One in Critical Condition [UPDATE]

Update, 3:28PM: This story was updated with information from the Poughkeepsie City School District and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney.

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Two Poughkeepsie teenagers where shot. City of Poughkeepsie Police believe the victims were innocent bystanders. One is in critical condition.

On Wednesday around 10:00 p.m., an 18-year-old City of Poughkeepsie resident was shot once while standing with a group in front of 104 Winnikee Avenue. Poukeepsie police believe several shots were fired initially, followed by many more shots a few seconds later.

During the second burst of gunfire another 18-year-old City of Poughkeepsie resident was hit in the arm while walking through the intersection of Bement and Harrison Street.

Police say at this time it’s unclear if there were two groups of people shooting at each other. Police believe both victims were not the intended targets.

The victim shot in front of 104 Winnikee is in critical condition at a local hospital. The other teenager was treated and released.

Police say the 104 Winnikee vicitim was with a group of people when he was shot. Most of the people left the scene as police arrived. Police are asking anyone who was in the area of 104 Winnikee to come forward and give any information they can about what they witnessed. Anyone with information is asked to call the City of Poughkeepsie Police at 451-7577.

The Poughkeepsie City School District confirmed that the teen who was critically injured was a student in the district. The district implemented its crisis response and increased security in the wake of the shooting.

Metal detectors and security wands were brought to secondary schools in the district Thursday morning to detect weapons and deter students from bringing weapons on school grounds, Poughkeepsie City School District Board President Ralph Coates and Poughkeepsie City School District Superintendent Dr. Nicole Williams said in a joint statement.

"While the shooting took place off of school premises and well after school hours, we take our primary responsibility very seriously: 'to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for students, staff, and visitors,'" Coates and Williams said in the statement.

Counselors have been made available to provide support services for Poughkeepsie City School District students and staff.

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-18) offered his thoughts and prayers to the teens and their families and friends in a prepared statement Thursday afternoon.

"From Newburgh to Poughkeepsie gun violence is tearing our families apart – enough is enough," Maloney said in the press release. "I applaud the swift actions of the Poughkeepsie City School District and the City of Poughkeepsie Police, and I will continue working with our community leaders to stop these senseless shootings and keep our neighborhoods safe.”