Albany Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a Friday afternoon homicide in the city’s Pine Hills neighborhood.
Officials say 18-year-old William Sanders was found in the roadway on Hamilton Street between Quail and Ontario Streets with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hours later, police arrested 20-year-old Brian Moses, who was allegedly found hiding in his basement. Tear gas was deployed to assist in removing Moses from the scene.
A 9 mm handgun was also reportedly located inside Moses' home.
Moses faces murder and weapons possession charges and was being held in the Albany County Jail.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan praised the efforts of the city police department in a Saturday afternoon statement that reads in part:
“Yesterday's events are a stark reminder of how important it is for the Albany Police Department to have access to every resource available to keep our community safe - including tear gas.”
The Democrat added the use of tear gas “complied with the additional precautions as outlined in APD’s updated General Orders that reflect the work of our Policing Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.”
Chief Eric Hawkins also praised the department’s response, adding in a statement:
“In this case, the subject viciously murdered another person and then barricaded himself inside of a home. The officers had limited options available. With the responsible use of chemical munitions, the officers were able to safely apprehend this dangerous individual.”
In September of 2021, the Albany Common Council voted down a proposed ban on the use of tear gas. The effort to restrict the use of tear gas was supported by police reform activists, following the use of tear gas against protesters in the spring of 2020.
Outraged by the shooting incident Friday, Albany Common Councilor Owusu Anane called for Chief Hawkins’ resignation.
“Enough is enough. I speak to the police chief, it just seems like there is no vision or plan to address this issue and ultimately the buck has to stop somewhere,” said Anane. “I understand COVID happened but we cannot keep blaming it on COVID and blaming it on other people.”
The neighborhood where the homicide took place is heavily populated by students.
The Ward 10 Democrat told WAMC neighbors are concerned.
“I have a constituent who is actually looking to potentially sell their house. I know students, it’s heavily populated by students…there’s university leaders who have reached out to me, they have some general concerns. Property owners have some concerns. And quite frankly, I love this city, I care about this city, and I can no longer sit and watch what’s happening to our city.”
Mayor Sheehan said she has “complete confidence” in the police department and chief.
David Galin, a spokesman for Mayor Sheehan, called Anane’s criticism of Chief Hawkins “baseless,” adding:
“Leadership requires us to work together to find solutions - not engage in counterproductive political grandstanding. We remain committed to work with law enforcement and community leaders to address public safety concerns in the Pine Hills Neighborhood. “
Friday’s killing occurred in the same area of an early morning shooting on August 28th where six young people were shot.
Following the incident that occurred while police were attempting to break up a large party crowd, Mayor Sheehan urged the student community to work with her administration, the city police department, and college administrators to address unruly mass gatherings.
At the time, the Democratic mayor said incident where six were shot “shocks the conscience.” No students were injured in that shooting, though a student was injured in an apparent shooting a week earlier in the area of Quail Street and Washington Avenue.