Syracuse, New York (WSYR-TV) - Syracuse Police have arrested a 22-year-old Syracuse man in connection with the stabbing death of 22-year-old Gary Cooper. Cooper was killed in a large fight near the corner of Butternut and Knaul Streets on Tuesday afternoon.
22-year-old Jamar Coleman of Knaul Street has been charged with first degree manslaughter. He will be arraigned today in Syracuse City Court.
Syracuse Police say Coleman and Cooper had an on-going feud. Coleman was allegedly talking about Cooper yesterday afternoon at the corner of Butternut and Knaul around 3:15 PM, and that's when the large fight started.
Thirty to forty people were involved in the fight, which included guns, bricks, knives, and baseball bats. Cooper died from knife wounds at St. Joseph's Hospital shortly after the fight ended.
Investigators questioned some of the people who were involved in the fight, which led them to Coleman. Coleman was located in a house in Solvay last night, and brought into custody.
From July 7th, 2009
Syracuse, New York (WSYR-TV) – A 22-year-old man was killed Tuesday afternoon during a large fight on Syracuse’s North Side, and neighbors who live along Butternut Street say they're concerned about growing violence.
Gary Cooper was pronounced dead at St. Joseph’s Hospital shortly after he arrived there. The fight happened near Schiller Park, at the corner of Butternut and Knual Streets.
As many as 30 to 40 people were involved in the fight. Investigators say it appears to have happened in retaliation to a fight that occurred on Monday.
Annmarie Mastrobattista saw Cooper fall. She lives right by the intersection of Butternut and Knaul—where the fight occurred. Mastrobattista rushed out her door and tried to stop him from bleeding.
“I saw a kid die today, with my hands over his chest and blood coming out,” she said.
She’s lived on Butternut for decades; she’s concerned it’s going to get worse. Like many neighbors, she’s calling for more police presence.
Lt. Joe Cecile of the Syracuse Police Department says the Syracuse Police Department holds weekly meetings. “We discuss patterns and trends of violent crimes and then brainstorm ways to combat these issues.”
He says it’ll likely be a topic at the next meeting.
Syracuse Police continue to investigate Cooper's death. If you have any information, call them at 442-5222.
