Aaron Jackson, 20, accused of shooting at police officer. Jermain Grimes, 31, also charged in robbery.
View full sizeJermain Grimes, in yellow shirt, has been charged with robbery in connection with the standoff with Syracuse police Tuesday at Omanii's Lemonade Heaven.Syracuse, NY – Police have charged a Syracuse man with attempted murder and charged him and a second man with robbery in connection with the standoff that dominated South Avenue on Tuesday afternoon.
Aaron Jackson, 20, of 146 Wolf St., was charged with first-degree attempted murder for allegedly firing one and perhaps two shots at Officer John “Jerry” Mulherin, Sgt. Tom Connellan said during a news conference at the Public Safety Building.
Jackson also was the bandana-masked gunman who allegedly robbed two customers at Omanii’s Lemonade Heaven about 11:30 a.m., the incident that touched off the standoff, Connellan said.
Jackson and Jermain Grimes, 31, of 1202 South Ave., both were charged with first-degree robbery in relation to the holdup. Grimes acted as the lookout and police believe the two men used Grimes’ apartment, upstairs from the restaurant, during the incident, Connellan said.
Both men also were charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and Jackson also was charged with criminal use of a firearm. They are to be arraigned at 2 p.m. in Syracuse City Court, Connellan said. Syracuse police have not released photos of the suspects.
Jackson has given police a confession, Connellan said.
Police ferried at least 45 people to safety from the three businesses and 16 apartments housed in the building at 1202 South Ave. between 11:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. as officers and Special Weapons and Tactics team members scoured the building.
Connellan confirmed witness accounts that a gunman masked with a bandana – later identified as Jackson -- entered Omanii’s about 11:30 a.m., took cash from two customers and was chased from the restaurant by its cook, identified by the owner as Anthony Corderro.
A passing postal worker saw the robbery and hailed Mulherin, who was in his car on his way to another incident, Connellan said. Mulherin, 56, a 28-year department veteran, chased the robber into the parking lot behind the building. The suspect fired at least one and possibly two shots at Mulherin. Mulherin fired three shots as the suspect entered the building through the back door, Connellan said.
Jackson made his way into a doorway leading to the building’s apartments, Connellan said.
Mulherin called for help and detectives on duty nearby responded within a minute, helping to secure the building, Connellan said.
Grimes emerged about six minutes after the robbery and, although not a suspect at that point, was taken into custody, Connellan said.
As officers searched the building and evacuated residents they called into apartments to test whether a suspect was inside, but no communication ever was made, Connellan said.
Jackson came out about 4 p.m., hands up and unarmed. Police were unsure at that point whether he was a suspect but charged him later, the spokesman said.
Police recovered a handgun that they believe was used in the incident in Grimes’ apartment. The two also changed clothes and their original clothing was found elsewhere in the building, Connellan said.
No one was hurt and no shots were fired after the initial exchange, Connellan said.
Connellan praised residents for coming forward and helping to identify the suspects and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, state police, the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Postal Service for their help during the standoff.