Police Chase Suspect in West Utica Homicide, Victim ID'd

Utica Police have charged a Philadelphia man with second degree murder in Wednesday morning's homicide in West Utica.

UPD responded to 813 Warren Street at about 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday regarding the shooting, and arriving officers were directed to 49-year-old James Jackson as the gunshot victim. Police say Jackson was unresponsive and pronounced dead at that scene soon after. Investigators say there were several people in the residence at the time of the shooting and a description of the shooter was quickly developed. An investigator with UPD's Major Crime Unit who was headed back to police headquarters spotted a man matching that description walking on foot.

Google Maps image of Warren St, in Utica, NY.

Police say when they tried to stop 47-year-old Ellery Jonathan Little McNeal of Pennsylvania he ran off, but would be taken into near Genesee Street after a brief chase. Officers say a search of McNeal found a loaded 9mm handgun.

Homicide victim James Jackson of Utica - photo released by family via Utica Police Department

Earlier in the day, UPD shared news of the apprehension and gun discovery, but said they were waiting to release more information pending further investigation.

Utica Police on scene of a reported homicide on the 800 block of Warren St, in West Utica - 4/12/23 WIBX 950

Now police say they have charged McNeal with Jackson's murder, along with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and several drug related charges including possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to sell.

Ellery Jonathan Little McNeal was charged with second degree murder in the death of James Jackson of Utica on April 12, 2023. Photo released by Utica Police Department

[AUTHOR'S NOTE: This post is for informational purposes. The information provided within was provided publicly by law enforcement. Any charges or accusations of wrongdoing mentioned in the article are only allegations and the reader is reminded that all persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.]

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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.