18 hours Ago
Tribune News Service Lauren Stanforth, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. (TNS) GUILDERLAND — A person was shot, and another was stabbed at an Upstate New York outdoor party that attracted hundreds late Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Guilderland town police said they were called at 1:49 a.m. to “an organized music festival” that was taking place in the area of 5777 Depot Road for a stabbing.
A 23-year-old from Rome, Oneida County, had a stab wound to the head, and was transported to a hospital for treatment. While authorities were at the scene, the sound of gunshots could be heard around 2:06 a.m.
, police said. It was soon learned a 21-year-old from Brooklyn had been shot in the shoulder and had also been taken to the hospital for treatment. Police did not provide conditions on either patient Sunday.
“Due to both the size of the crowd and the circumstances surrounding these incidents, mutual aid had been requested,” Guilderland police said in a statement. “The event was promptly cleared, and the Guilderland Police Department is continuing their investigation surrounding both incidents. No suspects are in custody at this time.
” The site where the party happened is several hundred yards up from Depot Road on a dirt road that leads to a clearing. The site Sunday morning still had a temporary stage erected as well as a tent and was littered with plastic cups and other debris. A vendor at the scene Sunday morning said between 800 to 1,000 people attended the event.
He said he did not hear the gunshot and only realized the severity of the situation when the crowd began to run. Guilderland police spokesperson Kristopher Scarano said the event’s organizers did have the necessary permits for the gathering, though police did not say what the party was celebrating. Postings on Facebook appear to reflect an after-hours party that was held as part of University at Albany homecoming weekend.
There were performances at MVP Arena earlier on Saturday night marking homecoming, but often there are after-parties organized by others, and not connected to UAlbany, that are held after official events are over. Videos posted on Facebook show a location with the same kind of tents set up, and hundreds of people enjoying musical performances Saturday night. An online poster for an event called it “The heaviest homecoming on Earth,” and noted VIP food trucks, DJs and “hookah drinks,” but it did not provide a location.
It was not immediately clear on Sunday who owns the property. The Altamont Enterprise reported a year ago about how the site is often used for large events, but in September 2023, the town was considering making a special-use permit a requirement for such gatherings, according to the Enterprise. The party late Saturday night was reminiscent of another after-hours UAlbany homecoming party held in 2015 at a warehouse in Colonie.
In that case, the owner of the warehouse said he was misled about what the gathering would be, and the organizer ultimately was fined $4,200 for allowing hundreds in the Railroad Avenue building without adequate fire exits and other protections. Police said Saturday’s incident is an ongoing investigation and any parties who may have information are asked to contact the Guilderland Police Department Criminal Investigation Unit at (518) 356-1501. Daniel Roberts contributed to this story.
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