Utica Police Arrest Five In Kennedy Plaza Shooting

Utica, NY (WIBX) - Utica Police have arrested five people in connection with Monday's shooting at the Kennedy Plaza Apartments.

21-year old Robert Lucas, 19-year old Shawn Barnett, 16-year old Paul Cookhorne, 19-year old Rasheed Saunders, all of Utica, and an unidentified 15-year old are all charged with gang assault.

Cookhorne and the juvenile face additional charges of criminal possession of a weapon.

The five suspects were spotted running from the area by a UPD officer on his way to the police station for a shift.

They were all taken into custody after they split up and ran in different directions.

Police say one of the suspects took a large machete from under his sweatshirt and threw it to the ground while being chased.

The victim, 21-year old Deandre Brown of Utica, was shot in the abdomen.

He was taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

The investigation continues and further charges are pending.

(photo from left: Lucas, Bryant and Saunders)