Business owners speak out about street safety after overnight shooting

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Several people were treated at Albany Medical Center after shots were fired overnight outside a local club.

Surrounding businesses say that from the time high schoolers get out, only half a mile away, to late in the night, that area goes from bad to worse.

“What if a bullet goes near our window?” asked Dee Bowles.

That’s a very real possibility for businesses between Quail Street and Ontario Street on Central Avenue.

After this Saturday’s arrest of Shaquille Owens in connection to Friday night’s shooting outside Club Phoenix, people say they aren’t shocked.

“When I circled around the block I heard a shot and I just got scared,” said Bowles.

Shortly after midnight an officer was seen giving CPR to an unidentified male lying on the ground, who was shot in the torso several times. That man is said to be in critical but stable condition.

A 21 and 23 year old, who were nearby, were caught in the gun fire. One was shot in the leg, the other shot in the torso. Both were treated and released from Albany Medical Center.

Another local owner had his business hit with a bullet a few years ago. He says the area has great traffic for this business, but once it gets dark, he closes up and heads home.

“Kathy Sheehan, she’s doing the best she can … but it’s not enough,” said Bowles.

“47 people have been shot on the streets of Albany this year,” said Steve Smith from the Albany Police Department.

Three of those were Friday night.

“There are people in this community who have guns. And there are people in this community who know who has the guns. So we need people to come forward with this information,” said Smith.

For Bowles, for change to begin that means starting with this club.

“I don’t like it. Ever since they got a lot of the stuff out of there and people took over ... nah,” said Bowles.

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