Alex Bucknam
Managing Editor
On Saturday, March 7, police received a report of a gunshot at about 7:30 p.m. in Westfield, N.Y.
After an investigation, Westfield police officers determined 52-year-old Jahmaul Johnson of Westfield shot a woman during a fight at a home.
Johnson drove off and led police through a high-speed chase, reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour through the Dunkirk, Fredonia and Pomfret area.
Fredonia police said the suspect crashed his car in the town of Pomfret just outside the village of Fredonia before fleeing the scene on foot.
Students heard loud sirens and heavy police presents near campus. Initially, it was unclear what was happening.
Jasper Bateman, a student at Fredonia, checked a Facebook page under the name “Fredonia/Dunkirk News,” where he saw a post stating, “Fredonia police and rescue responding to Main and Cushing for a car-pedestrian accident. Avoid the area if possible.”
“Initially I thought that it was a really bad accident that required additional police force,” Bateman said.
Shortly after, another post in the same Facebook group stated that a suspect involved in a shooting ditched their car and was on foot in the area.
The post warned people in the area to stay indoors and remain vigilant.
As of Sunday, March 8, it does not appear that the two incidents were connected.
Students later received a phone call and email from University Police (UP) at 8:37 p.m. stating the department was working with local police to search for a suspect on foot.
The email continued, saying, “The campus community is advised to avoid that area of the town and to take precautions, including staying indoors for the time being, lock your doors and remain vigilant.”
Shortly after the alert, the Fredonia Office of Emergency Management issued a shelter-in-place order for the area. Students were made aware of the order through a Facebook post.
“Law enforcement is actively searching for an armed subject in the area of Van Buren, Chestnut, Farel and Johnson streets. Residents in this area are encouraged to shelter in place at this time,” the post stated.
Students reported feeling concerned and scared during the search.
“At that point I just wanted to get back to my house,” Bateman said.
Roughly 10 minutes later, UP announced to students that the suspect was in custody.
Johnson is being charged with first degree attempted assault; police have stated more charges are expected.
The woman involved in the shooting was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injures.
This story is developing.
Jasper Bateman mentioned in this story is The Leader’s DEI chair.