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Lawmakers consider boosting penalties for drive-by shootings

Sep 21, 2020 1:45 pm
Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics Republican state Sen. Daphne Jordan and Democratic Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara are pushing a bill intended to increase penalties in drive-by shooting cases. The measure was prompted by the murder last week of 11-year-old Ayshawn Davis in Troy. The measure would amend the state's criminal code to add the crime of drive by shooting, defined as a person causing the death of another person by discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle, allowing a prosecutor to charge first-degree murder. “It’s heartbreaking to see this tragic and senseless death,” Santabarbara said. “Drive-by shootings are an attack on our community and we cannot standby while innocent bystanders become victims. We must do all that we can to ensure those responsible face the harshest penalties." Jordan said, “Our entire Capital Region was shocked and horrified at the senseless murder of 11-year-old Ayshawn Davis, a beloved child with a bright future." Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.