A man was shot dead inside a Lockport apartment Sunday night, and police have charged his roommate with second-degree murder in connection with the killing. Officers were called to the David Woody Apartments at 262 Garden Street around 9:30 p.m. after reports of shots fired inside a residence, and they found a man who had been shot and later died at the scene.
According to WKBW, Lockport Police responded specifically to Apartment E at the Garden Street complex after reports of shots fired inside the unit. The Niagara Gazette reports that the victim had been shot in the chest, and that despite life-saving efforts by members of the Lockport Fire Department, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have not released the victim's name, as they are still working to notify his family, the station's report notes. Investigators arrested and charged 29-year-old Jesse L. Howard Jr. with second-degree murder, according to News 4 Buffalo, which reported the arrest Monday morning.
Roommates Living Under the Same Roof
Police said Howard and the victim lived inside the same apartment, per the same account from WKBW. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an argument over finances that turned violent, though that account reflects police's current working theory rather than a confirmed conclusion.
Lockport Police say the investigation remains ongoing and are asking anyone with information to come forward. The department has not released further details about the shooting beyond the initial circumstances reported at the scene.
Earlier Lockport Murder Case
The arrest follows a prior Lockport case involving a second-degree murder charge tied to a deadly shooting in the city. A Niagara County grand jury in July 2023 indicted 22-year-old Joshua Z. Chandler on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree assault and second-degree criminal possession of a deadly weapon, according to WIVB News 4.
That earlier case stemmed from a July 2, 2023 shooting near Walnut Street and Locust Street that left 27-year-old Rakeem Hamilton dead and another person seriously injured, the outlet reported. In 2023, Chandler was held in jail without the possibility of bail while awaiting trial.
No such details about bail, a court appearance, or an attorney have been released for Howard as of Monday. Lockport Police have said only that the investigation into Sunday night's shooting continues.
