[News] Man accused of firing gun at crowd

[_Happy boy]

AMSTERDAM — A 25-year-old Amsterdam man who allegedly shot a .380 caliber handgun at a group of people was arrested Tuesday and is facing two felonies.

Ismael R. Cortez, also known as “Problems,” 25, was arrested by the Amsterdam Police Department on an active warrant out of Amsterdam City Court on charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, a class C felony, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony.

Police said that on Aug. 10, around 7:30 p.m., police responded to Slater Street near Hibbard Street for a report of shots fired.

When police arrived on the scene, neither the alleged shooter or any victims could be found, but they were able to recover evidence that showed a .038 caliber handgun had been fired.

Members of the Amsterdam Police Detective Bureau responded to the scene and began an investigation.

Detectives collected physical evidence, interviewed several individuals and obtained video surveillance from the area, according to a news release.

Police said the investigation revealed that Cortez had fired at least one round from the handgun toward a group of people he had an argument with earlier in the evening before getting into a vehicle and leaving the area.

Unable to locate Cortez, the police obtained an arrest warrant signed by Amsterdam City Court Judge Lisa Lorman charging him with the two felonies.

On Tuesday, Cortez was located on Grand Street and taken into custody without incident.

Cortez was processed and held for arraignment.