Full Breakdown
Deputy Commissioner Arrested as Getaway Driver in Bronx Shooting
8/5/2026, 12:18:20 AM
Core Event
On June 29, 2026, Chase Lackard, 20, allegedly opened fire from a vehicle behind the Bronx Criminal Courthouse at East 162nd Street and Grand Avenue during a gang-related dispute. Police allege he fired toward a rival gang member but struck no one. According to police sources, his mother, Jennifer Lackard, 49, the deputy commissioner of public safety for the Mount Vernon Police Department, drove the vehicle away from the scene. Both were arrested the following Tuesday at their Boynton Avenue residence in the Bronx and charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal possession of a firearm, conspiracy and reckless endangerment.
Background & Context
Jennifer Lackard had served as Mount Vernon’s deputy commissioner of safety, a senior leadership role within the department. Her son, Chase, has a documented history of police encounters: he was shot by officers in 2024 after an alleged gun threat, and previously wounded in 2023 during a bus dispute over gang signs. He is reported to be affiliated with the “Slutty Gang,” a local street organization involved in ongoing rivalries.
Official Statements & Responses
The department also declined further comment on the underlying allegations. The Bronx County District Attorney’s Office filed the criminal charges against both mother and son.
Data & Statistics
- Salary (2025): $138,219, as listed on the See Through NY government-transparency website.
- Charges: attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal possession of a firearm, conspiracy, reckless endangerment.
- No injuries were reported from the June 29 shooting.
Impact and Immediate Consequences
The arrest marks a rare instance of a senior police official being implicated in a violent crime linked to gang activity. The termination removes Lackard from any decision-making capacity within Mount Vernon’s police hierarchy, and the case proceeds through the Bronx criminal justice system. The incident has prompted public statements from Mount Vernon’s mayor, who described the matter as “personal” and expressed prayers for the family, while the department maintains a stance of non-involvement regarding the alleged conduct.
