MIDDLETOWN – The 16-year-old youth believed to have shot a 17-year-old at a Middletown barber shop last Wednesday, has been captured by New York City Police and turned over to Middletown law enforcement.
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said this case is systemic of a larger problem.
“This is part of the larger problem of juveniles – raise the age (state law), where this dispute is carrying over the course of years and because the involved individuals are 16, 17 years old, they are protected by raise the age, and we don’t have the resources necessary in handling raise the age cases. We really don’t have the treatment these individuals need or the places to house them,” the DA said.
Shortly after 5 p.m. last Wednesday, the alleged shooter, who was wearing a mast, walked into the 6 West Barbershop and opened fire on the victim, hitting in the back with three rounds.
Police are exploring the possibility that the shooting was retaliatory.