The Pottsville Police have provided an update on the incident that closed West Market Street on Tuesday afternoon.
According to Chief Richard Wojiechowsky, on Tuesday July 20th, 2021 at 12:36pm, Pottsville Police were dispatched to the 700 block of West Market St. for multiple reports of a male shooting a gun at a vehicle in that area.
Upon police arrival, the male was no longer on scene, but one of those witnesses provided police with a photo he took on his cell phone of the male walking away from the area just after he fired upon a moving vehicle.
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| Photo Courtesy of Fox56 |
Through an investigation, the male was identified as Andre L. Jackson, 36, of 706 West Market St. apartment “C” in Pottsville.
Also during this time, police learned of video surveillance from a residence in the area which captured the activity, and in that video, the male identified as Jackson is seen interacting with the occupant(s) of a grey car as it was parked just west of his residence in the 700 block of West Market St.
The vehicle pulls out abruptly and drives westbound on Market St., at which time Jackson is seen running after the car and two loud bangs are heard on the video, consistent with gun shots, before Jackson turns and walks back toward and enters his residence.
While police were actively trying to locate Jackson, a female and four young children emerged from the apartment building in question, and it was confirmed that Jackson was still inside his residence.
That female and children were carrying a large duffel bag from Jackson’s apartment, and in an effort to prevent the destruction or removal of evidence from the scene, police seized the bag and obtained a warrant to search it.
That warrant led to the seizure of a large amount of suspected marijuana.
Also in that bag were a distinct pair of jean shorts matching the ones observed in the still photo taken of Jackson immediately after the shots fired.
While police were speaking with that female and other witnesses, Jackson emerged from the rear kitchen door of his apartment and was taken into custody without incident.
A search warrant was also obtained by Magisterial District Judge Reiley to search Jackson’s apartment, and additional quantities of marijuana were located inside.
An over the shoulder bag seen in the photo being worn by Jackson was also located, but the gun used in this incident was not found.
Several hours after this incident took place, a city resident called to report damage he found to his vehicle, consistent with it being shot by a bullet.
Police responded to his home and learned the owner of the vehicle was driving eastbound through the 700 block of West Market St. with his wife and two great grandchildren at the time the video shows Jackson firing two shots westbound, and the hole in the driver side front wheel well was consistent with that account.
The bullet fragment was subsequently seized from inside the door panel of the vehicle, and will be sent to the State Police Crime Lab for analysis along with the seized marijuana.
Based on these video accounts, statements and search warrants, Andre Jackson was arraigned on the charges of Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Aggravated Assault, Persons Not to Possess a Firearm, Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Simple Assault, Criminal Mischief, and Persistent Disorderly Conduct.
Jackson arraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge David Plachko and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $250,000 straight cash bail.