Former Mount Vernon official accused of being getaway driver in Bronx shooting, prosecutors say
A former Mount Vernon police official faces attempted murder charges for allegedly being the getaway driver in a Bronx shooting, prosecutors said.
A newly unsealed indictment states her family was part of a coordinated shooting attack outside Bronx Criminal Court in June.
Jennifer Lackard, 49, served as deputy commissioner of wellness in the community affairs division of the Mount Vernon Police Department.
According to the NYPD, police responded to a shots fired call outside a courthouse on East 162nd Street and Grant Avenue in the Bronx just before noon on June 29. Police said a gunman opened fire at a crowd of people, and took off in a vehicle that headed northbound on East 163rd Street. Fortunately, no one was hit by the gunfire.
According to the indictment, Lackard's 20-year-old son, Chase, texted his mom to be waiting outside court, writing, "Be directly In Fromt [sic] When I Leave."
Jennifer Lackard allegedly replied, "When?" She later allegedly texted, "You can't just sit directly outside. It has to be timed right."
Prosecutors say Chase Lackard then put on a black mask inside the courthouse before getting into the car with Jennifer Lackard and her husband, James Lackard.
The trio allegedly drove around with a loaded firearm for 45 minutes before pulling up behind the courthouse. That's when prosecutors say Chase Lackard fired multiple shots from inside the car towards a crowd before the family fled.
At 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, police executed a search warrant at the family's apartment in the Soundview section of the Bronx. Jennifer Lackard and Chase Lackard were arrested.
They were charged with attempted murder, three counts of attempted assault, six counts of weapons possession, as well as one count each of conspiracy and reckless endangerment.
Jennifer Lackard pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday. Her defense attorney said she has dedicated 20 years of her life to helping vulnerable populations.
She joined the Mount Vernon Police Department in 2020 with a focus on police reform, community complaints and community relations. Her background was in organizing and social services.
On Tuesday, Mount Vernon Police said Jennifer Lackard has been terminated from the department, effective immediately.
Mount Vernon Police said the charges "are unrelated to her duties with the Mount Vernon Police Department and do not stem from any conduct associated with the Department or the performance of her official responsibilities," adding that it "remains fully committed to its nationally recognized Wellness Unit."
Bail was set at $75,000 cash. She's due back in court on Sept. 25.
Jennifer Lackard's husband is named in the indictment, but police said he is not in custody in New York.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Lackard's son Chase has had multiple prior contacts with law enforcement.
"Jennifer is a beautiful, beautiful neighbor. I know her for a long time, and I really care for her. I'm really shocked about what's going on right now," one neighbor said. "I always help her with anything she needs. I got her. She knows that, because the kid is disabled."
The neighbor said before officers took Jennifer Lackard away, she asked to speak with him. Her biggest concern, he said, was her younger son, who uses a wheelchair. She asked the neighbor to look after him while she was gone.
"He can't do anything. She's got to do everything for him. Every day, she's got to deal with that, and then she's got to go to work," the neighbor said.
