Son of former Mount Vernon official arraigned in Bronx shooting case
The City of Mount Vernon announced that Jennifer Lackard, the department's deputy commissioner of wellness, was fired effective immediately following her arrest Tuesday morning.
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The son of a former Mount Vernon police official is accused of shooting at a group of people.
This comes after his mother, the former Deputy Commissioner of Wellness, was arrested. Prosecutors say she was her son's getaway driver.
Tuesday coverage
According to prosecutors, 20-year-old Chase Lackard was arraigned Wednesday in Bronx Criminal Court. Authorities allege that on June 29, he fired multiple shots toward a group of people outside a Bronx courthouse. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the arraignment, a prosecutor described the incident as potentially gang-related, alleging that one of the individuals in the targeted group was affiliated with a rival gang.
Chase Lackard and his mother, Jennifer Lackard, are both facing multiple charges, including attempted murder. Prosecutors allege that Jennifer Lackard, the former Deputy Commissioner of Wellness for the Mount Vernon Police Department, and her husband acted as getaway drivers for their son.
Court documents also allege that she sent her son a text message on the morning of the incident stating, "You can't just sit directly outside. It has to be timed right."
The case has drawn significant attention because of Jennifer Lackard's former position within the police department. According to a city statement, she was hired in July 2020 for a civilian leadership role intended to strengthen trust between the department and the community. City officials said she underwent a background investigation before being hired and that her husband's criminal history was reviewed but was not considered disqualifying for the position.
A Mount Vernon spokesperson wrote in a statement, "No employer can predict future personal conduct. Mount Vernon has faced challenges before, and we have always responded with accountability, transparency, and resilience. We remain committed to those principles as this matter proceeds through the criminal justice system, and we will continue strengthening the institutions that serve our residents."
Chase Lackard remains in custody, while bail for Jennifer Lackard was set at $75,000. Both are scheduled to return to court in September.
