15-Year-Old Boy Killed in Utica's First Homicide of 2024

The Utica Police Department is investigating the city's first homicide of 2024. While there have been shootings and violence, this is the first act of violence leading to a fatality.

Teenager Shot

At around 9:45 p.m. Sunday, Utica Police officials announced that they were on the scene of a shooting investigation that led to a death on the 1000 block of Warren Street in the west side of the city.

Utica Police say officers were called to the scene just before 8 p.m. along with members of the Utica Fire Department. Upon arrival, officers say they located a male victim near the intersection of Warren and Lenox. Police say the victim had apparently suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

Even though the victim was put into a Utica Fire Department ambulance and life saving efforts were attempted, the victim succumbed to his injuries.

Lt. Mike Curley tells WIBX that the deceased individual was a 15-year-old boy and the department extends sincerest prayers and thoughts to the family during this difficult time.

The identity of the victim may be released later today, but at this time they are holding off pending a conversation with the family.

Police Seeking Public's Assistance

Utica Police are still processing the scene and are continuing canvassing issues with people in the area.

Police are pleading with people if they have any information on this case to contact the Utica Police Department Major Crimes Unit at 315-223-3556 or make an anonymous tip with Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers on their website or by calling 1-866-730-8477 (TIPS).

The plight of youth violence in the city continues and needs to stop.

13 Of New York State's Most Wanted Criminals- January 2024

Below are individuals wanted by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) Office of Special Investigations who have been designated as its Most Wanted Fugitives. They should be considered armed and dangerous. This list is current as of 1/01/2024:

NEVER attempt to apprehend a fugitive yourself. If you have information on the location of any of these fugitives, you can contact OSI 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to report it. All leads and tips are treated as confidential information.

If an immediate response is necessary, such as you see the wanted person at a location, please call “911” and report it to the police.

Gallery Credit: Dave Wheeler

10 Leading Causes Of Death In New York

In the bustling heartbeat of New York State, there are 10 leading causes of death that are very alarming, and probably not surprising.

The latest data represented here is from the 2021 release from the CDC:

Gallery Credit: Dave Wheeler

Incredible Photos of the Devastating HK Restaurant & Lounge Fire

On Thursday, November 30th, 2023 the Utica Fire Department was called to the HK Restaurant & Lounge for reports of heavy smoke coming from the building. The second alarm fire took hours to final get under control and the former Roger's Coffee Shop ended up being a total loss. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Gallery Credit: Andrew Derminio