Noting the “proliferation of illegal handguns in our streets,” the district attorney for Chautauqua County said the violence was “destroying our community, leaving all of us feeling unsafe and literally killing people around us.”

Comments from the DA this week come amid an ongoing investigation into a fatal shooting Aug. 19 on Prendergast Avenue in Jamestown along with a handful of other gun-related incidents reported throughout the county.

Most recently, though, a 35-year-old man was killed after a barrage of shots were fired around 1 p.m. in the 800 block of Prendergast. Another man was injured in what police said was a targeted attack, and charges have been announced to two city residents connected to the shooting.

“It’s heartbreaking for the families of the victims and for all of us,” Schmidt told The Post-Journal. “I’m personally affected and others have expressed the same. It’s easy to feel outgunned and defeated by what now seems like an everyday, common occurrence in which someone pulls out a gun, someone shoots a gun, families hear gunshots from their living rooms, and someone gets shot. It’s sickening.”

OBSERVER File Photo by M.J. Stafford First responders are pictured July 17 along Route 60 in Fredonia.

Gun violence is not solely a Jamestown issue.

On July 5, an 18-year-old Cassadaga man died after he was shot in the lower back during a “scuffle” in the area of Reed and Park streets in Sinclairville.

Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone said the man was among six people when an altercation broke out. At some point, the victim identified as Joseph Misciagno was struck in the back with a single gunshot.

After being shot, Quattrone said the teen got into a truck and drove for about a quarter-mile before the vehicle left the road and struck some trees.

Misciagno was transported by ambulance to the hospital and later pronounced dead.

About two weeks later on July 17, two juveniles were injured after being shot in a vehicle in the city of Dunkirk. According to police, the incident occurred as a vehicle was traveling south on Route 60. Witnesses said it was passed by another vehicle, and occupants began shooting at the vehicle they were passing.

The occupants sought safety and medical assistance at the Red Apple Kwik Fill in Fredonia. The juveniles were transported to Brooks-TLC Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

“I assure you that each and every member of law enforcement — every cop here in our county — and every person who supports the police and cares about what’s happening, is fully committed to turning things around,” Schmidt said. “It’s a complicated problem, partly the result of outside factors and influences.

“But the commitment and dedication to seeing this through to the point where we can see a reverse in the current trend is there. We are trying our absolute very best.”

GUN VIOLENCE DOWN STATEWIDE

Statewide, it appears gun violence is trending downward compared to 2021.

Gov. Kathy Hochul this week said the state’s effort to limit the flow of illegal guns into New York was showing results. She said 6,007 illegal firearms were seized by police agencies from January through July, 20% more than in the same seven months of 2021.

During that same period, the governor noted, there were 11% fewer gun-related incidents resulting in injury this year than in 2021 in communities that are part of a state-led gun violence initiative.

However, it’s a different situation so far this year in Jamestown, which has seen more injuries due to guns than the last two years combined. Through Aug. 13 in the county’s largest city, there have been 16 confirmed shootings while six people have been injured. The shooting Aug. 19 is not included in those statistics.

“My message to the moms, dads, sisters, brothers and cousins, uncles and aunts of Chautauqua County, and to our leaders on every level including those whom people look up to, we need to talk about the problem,” Schmidt said. “Some of those with illegal guns are young and can be reached. Take what’s happening around us and make it the number one topic of conversation.

“Ask them if they know anyone who has an illegal gun. Ask them why. Get them talking. For protection? To settle disputes? To intimidate people? There are better ways to get what you want, ways that don’t scare or harm or kill people. Ways that won’t land someone in state prison for several years or much longer. Each and every one of us needs to work together to turn things around.”