SCHENECTADY -- Schenectady Police made three arrests early Sunday morning, following a call for shots fired near 501 State St., the Citizen's Bank.

At about 2:22 a.m., officers responded to a reported fight outside Nico's Pizza, at 441 State St. As the crowd dispersed, a second fight broke out on Barrett Street, near the rear lot of the bank. Two of the combatants, Ronald N. Diggs, 25, and Ramell G. Steward, 29, both of Schenectady, drew handguns and began shooting at a third party, endangering a large crowd and the police officers who had responded to the incident.

Steward was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit, and Diggs was located a short way from the scene and taken into custody without incident. Both guns were recovered.

Steward was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, a felony, as well as one count of Menacing in the 2nd degree, one count of Obstructing Governmental Administration in the 2nd degree, and one count of Resisting Arrest, all misdemeanors.

Diggs was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, a felony.

A third individual, Damien Bethea, 24, of Rotterdam, was also arrested. He was charged withone count of Obstructing Governmental Administration in the 2nd degree, and one count of Resisting Arrest.

All three defendants are currently being held in the Schenectady City lockup, and will be arraigned this morning by the sitting judge.

Sgt. J. Moore of the Schenectady Police Department injured his ankle during the incident; no other injuries were reported.

The department thanks the Rotterdam Police Department, New York State Police, Schenectady County Sheriff's Department and the UCC for their assistance.



