SCHENECTADY -- After a brief chase, Schenectady Police arrested a man they say is responsible for two shootings in the city.
Akeem Boynton, 28, is facing 18 charges, as well as numerous vehicle and traffic law violations after his arrest on Thursday. Authorities say they tried to pull him over near the intersection of Albany Street and Kelton Avenue shortly before 6 p.m., but Boynton refused to pull over. After a short pursuit that ended near Pleasant Street and Tenth Avenue, police say Boynton fled from his vehicle and was apprehended a short ways away near Pearl Avenue and Crane Street with assistance from a civilian.
Police say Boynton is responsible for a December 2014 shooting on Woolsey Street. In that incident, officials say three shell casings were found near where a home was struck. Boynton is charged with attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.
Boynton is also accused in a March 20th shooting that forced nine Schenectady schools to go into lockout. Investigators say shots were fired on the Craig Street bridge near Mount Pleasant Middle School. When cops arrived, they found multiple shell casings, but not victims. About 10 minutes later, they say two victims showed up at Ellis Hospital with gunshot wounds -- neither of which were life threatening. Boynton is charged with two counts each of attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon in that case.
Boynton was remanded to the Schenectady County Jail without bail.
"We've been looking for him for quite some time," said Sgt. Matt Dearing with the Schenectady Police Department. "This is an individual who was involved in two shootings in the city in the last year or so. It's someone who is very dangerous now off the street."
