Albany, NY – A night meant for celebration ended in violence and destruction when a shooting and fire broke out during a Fourth of July gathering on Madison Avenue. The Albany Police Department has now made multiple arrests, including two 15-year-old juveniles, as well as 24-year-old Savion Wimberly of Albany and 19-year-old Jaelah Gutowski of Troy, in connection to the incident that left four people injured and a home fully engulfed in flames.
What Happened
On Friday, July 4, 2025, at approximately 10:00 p.m., officers responded to emergency calls on the 300 block of Madison Avenue. When they arrived, they discovered four victims suffering from gunshot wounds, and the residence at 333 Madison Avenue was completely consumed by fire.
First responders acted swiftly to transport the victims to area hospitals, and fire crews battled the blaze. Investigators determined the victims were innocent bystanders attending the neighborhood fireworks event and were not involved in the conflict that sparked the violence.
Juvenile Altercation Leads to Tragedy
According to the Albany Police Department, the incident originated from a dispute between two 15-year-old boys. One allegedly fired a flare gun, while the other fired a handgun. The flare ignited the fire at 333 Madison Avenue, and bullets from the handgun struck four people.
One of the juveniles, identified only as a 15-year-old male, was arrested on July 9 and is believed to be the one who fired the handgun. He has been charged with:
•One count of Attempted Murder 2nd
•Three counts of Assault 1st
•One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd
The second juvenile, also 15 years old, was arrested early the following morning following the execution of a search warrant on Elizabeth Street. He is believed to have fired the flare gun and is charged with:
•One count of Attempted Murder 2nd
•One count of Attempted Assault 1st
•One count of Attempted Assault 2nd
•One count of Arson 2nd
•One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th
Both juveniles will be arraigned in Albany County Family Court, and their names have not been released due to their age.
Additional Arrests: Wimberly and Gutowski
As part of the ongoing investigation, Albany detectives executed a separate search warrant on First Street near North Swan Street. During the search, they recovered a loaded handgun and took two adults into custody:
•Savion Wimberly, 24, of Albany, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd
•Jaelah Gutowski, 19, of Troy, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm
Both Wimberly and Gutowski are scheduled to be arraigned in Albany City Criminal Court this afternoon.
Police Statement
“This tragedy highlights how quickly senseless violence can erupt and forever alter lives,” said a representative from the Albany Police Department. “We are grateful for the swift action of our officers and investigators, and we are committed to pursuing justice for the victims.”
Authorities are urging community members to speak with their children about the dangers of gun violence and the lifelong consequences it can bring.
Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Albany Police Department or leave anonymous tips through Capital Region Crime Stoppers.