Shooter Who Took Aim At Rivals, But Hit Elderly Man Instead, Is Charged With Attempted Murder: DA

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A Westchester County shooting that left a 70-year-old bystander wounded, has now led to an attempted murder charge, according to prosecutors.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that a Westchester man who discharged a firearm at a rival, but instead hit an innocent senior citizen, was arraigned on several felony charges on Thursday.

Rodney Solomon, 21, of Mount Vernon, was charged in an indictment with felony second-degree attempted murder, felony first-degree attempted assault, two felony counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, felony second-degree assault, and felony first-degree reckless endangerment.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Solomon is currently being held at the Westchester County Jail. He is due back in court on Dec. 18.

"As my office outlined to the court, the defendant's egregious and needlessly violent conduct jeopardized many innocent lives that day," DA Cacace said. "I am only grateful that the innocent bystander who was struck by Mr. Solomon's bullet survived his injuries and has been released from the hospital. I hope for his continued recovery."

According to court documents, on Sept. 17, 2024, around 9:20 p.m., Solomon was at a residential complex when a rival group arrived; one member of the group then discharged a firearm in Solomon's direction.

Solomon headed into the apartment complex, retrieved a firearm and returned to the scene, according to police. Although the shooter had already fled, Solomon allegedly fired his weapon at a member of the group anyway, according to the bail application. Instead of hitting the intended target, the bullet struck an innocent bystander, a 70-year-old man who had been sitting nearby, police said.

The victim went to a local hospital, where it was found that he had suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was treated and released.