CORTLAND, NY — Police are searching for two men in connection with a shooting that occurred Thursday evening on Union Street.
Officers from the City of Cortland Police Department responded to the area of Union Street at approximately 8 p.m. Thursday for a reported shots fired complaint.
A caller reported someone shot a handgun at his vehicle as he was driving west on Union Street near the intersection with Owego Street.
The bullet shattered the front passenger door glass of the vehicle, nearly striking one of two passengers inside, according to police.
The caller reported that the shooter and his accomplice fled the scene in a red sedan last seen traveling north on Reynolds Avenue.
The vehicle was being operated by a female, police said.
An all-point bulletin was sent to area law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for the red sedan.
At about 8:20 p.m., the New York State Police located the red sedan involved in the shooting at an address on Route 281 in the town of Homer.
The vehicle was unoccupied and was impounded as evidence by the Cortland Police Department.
Officers and detectives obtained statements from the victims and witnesses to the shooting and gathered security camera video capturing portions of the incident from residences and businesses in the area.
Police are searching for Daryen J. Bethel, 19, of Cortland, and Marcus D. Burns, 21, of Homer.
The shooter, his accomplice and the handgun have not been located.
The handgun involved is described as a black semiautomatic.
Police said the incident is a targeted attack upon people associated with the shooter but the public should use extreme caution if encountering the shooter or his accomplice.
The Cortland Police Department is assisted by the Cortland County Sheriff’s Department, New York State Police, Homer Police Department and the Cortland County District Attorney.
Anyone having information on the whereabouts of Bethel or Burns, or having information regarding the shooting, is asked to contact the Cortland Police Department at 607-756-2811 or [email protected].
