MOUNT VERNON, NY - The deputy police commissioner based of a north Bronx suburb is out of a job and facing criminal charges after authorities allege the now-former deputy police commissioner of serving as a getaway driver for her 20-year-old son during an alleged drive-by shooting.
The NYPD arrested 49-year-old Jennifer Lackard and her son, 20-year-old Chase, on August 4 under suspicion the duo were involved in a potentially gang-related drive-by shooting that occurred on June 29th near the Bronx Criminal Courthouse.
Before her arrest, Lackard served as the Deputy Commissioner of Wellness for the Mount Vernon Police Department. She has since been terminated from that position following the criminal allegations.
Authorities allege that during the June 29 incident, Chase opened fire from a vehicle at a rival gang member near East 162nd Street and Grand Avenue but failed to strike anyone. Investigators say Jennifer Lackard was behind the wheel during the shooting, serving as the getaway driver.
Prosecutors say surveillance footage supports the allegations, along with text messages allegedly exchanged between Lackard and her son shortly before the shooting. According to investigators, Chase instructed his mother to wait for him outside the building, to which Lackard allegedly replied, “You can't just be standing out front. The timing has to be right.”
The City of Mount Vernon issued a statement regarding the allegations, emphasizing that the charges are unrelated to Lackard's duties with the police department and that her employment was terminated immediately following her arrest.
“Effective immediately, the City of Mount Vernon has terminated Jennifer Lackard’s employment. The allegations 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,” the city's statement reads in part.
Lackard was appointed to her position with the Mount Vernon Police Department in 2020 during the height of the George Floyd riots. She and her son have since been charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal possession of a firearm, conspiracy, and reckless endangerment. Bail was set at $75,000, and both are scheduled to return to court in September.
Comments