High-powered rifle used in shoot-out during soccer game in Poughkeepsie
Police said initial evidence indicates three guns were fired at the scene and one of them was a high-powered rifle.
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A fatal shootout involving multiple guns — including a high-powered rifle — disrupted a soccer game at Eastman Park.
Police wrote in a Monday afternoon press release that several people across the street began shooting at one another during the game Sunday evening, killing 46‑year‑old Carl Chambers, of Marlboro, and injuring another man.
"They just left the house at that time — 7 p.m. — out in front of Eastman Terrace, and those gunshots went off," a neighbor recalled. "They heard it. I heard it. Whew."
A popular local soccer club was holding a game at the time. The club has a decent reputation with city leaders, holding events for young people, running adult leagues and maintaining the field.
The club holds events on Wednesdays and Sundays, drawing big crowds. It was in the midst of that atmosphere on Sunday that the shoot-out started.
Police said initial evidence indicates three guns were fired at the scene, one being a high-powered rifle.
City Councilman Evan Menist, who represents this area, said that despite New York's strict gun laws, it is still too easy to obtain a gun locally because guns keep being trafficked in from states with less strict gun laws.
"If there were not a gun on-site and available, this could have very well been a fist fight," Menist said, "but instead it ended in loss of life because guns were available during the time of a disagreement."
Police are still looking for everyone who was directly involved in the shoot-out. No arrests had been made as of late Monday afternoon.
Chief Richard Wilson said the investigation is fluid and that he could not yet identify either person who was shot as a victim or a suspect.
Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers is asking for calm and cooperation with detectives.
"No family or community should have to endure this type of tragedy that brings so much pain," she said. "I urge the community to come together to support those who were affected by this tragedy and help the police with their investigation, so justice is served."
