On the night of October 12, 2024, a tragic shooting unfolded in Schenectady, New York, leaving the local community in mourning after the death of a 15-year-old boy, Dubar T. Knowles, and the serious injury of a 13-year-old girl. Schenectady Police responded to multiple reports of gunshots in the 1100 block of Congress Street, a typically quiet residential area that became the scene of one of the most devastating incidents the city has seen in recent years.
It was shortly after 11:20 p.m. when the initial 911 calls came in. Multiple residents reported hearing gunfire near a house party on Congress Street, which was being attended by several young teenagers. Officers, responding to the reports, arrived at the scene to find chaos and confusion. A large crowd of juveniles was fleeing the area, adding to the already tense situation. As the police sifted through the aftermath, they discovered Dubar Knowles, lying in the backyard of 1122 Congress Street, gravely wounded from a gunshot to his torso.
Knowles, a 9th-grade student at Schenectady High School, was a well-known member of the community. His sudden death sent shockwaves throughout the school and city, as both students and staff came to terms with the loss of a young life cut short by violence. Emergency medical personnel from the Schenectady Fire Department immediately began administering first aid at the scene before rushing him to a local hospital. Despite their best efforts, Knowles succumbed to his injuries shortly after his arrival, devastating his family, friends, and the broader Schenectady community.
Simultaneously, while police were dealing with the scene on Congress Street, they were alerted to another victim several blocks away. On Chrisler Avenue, just a short distance from the original crime scene, they found a 13-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound to her head and neck area. Like Knowles, she had been attending the same party and had managed to escape the immediate scene but was still gravely injured. Officers and emergency medical teams quickly rendered assistance and transported her to a nearby hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery.
Despite the severity of her injuries, the young girl was reported to be in stable condition after surgery. Her family, who had been anxiously awaiting updates, received the news that she was expected to survive. Although stable, the emotional toll on her family and friends remains profound, with many expressing their fears and outrage at the violence that has left her physically scarred and psychologically traumatized.
Initial investigations revealed that both victims were unintended targets caught in the crossfire of a dispute that erupted during the party. According to police, the shooting appears to have been the result of an altercation between several individuals that escalated into gunfire. While the exact details of what precipitated the violence remain unclear, law enforcement officials suspect that the party had attracted numerous local juveniles and potentially involved individuals who were not invited, leading to tensions and ultimately the fatal shooting.
At this stage, detectives from both the Schenectady Police Department and New York State Police are actively pursuing leads in the case. However, no arrests have been made, and the identities of potential suspects have not been publicly disclosed. Authorities have been conducting interviews with witnesses, many of whom were present at the party, in an effort to piece together the sequence of events that led to the tragic outcome. Some witnesses reported seeing multiple individuals with firearms, raising concerns that more than one shooter may have been involved.
The residents of Congress Street and surrounding neighborhoods have been left shaken by the incident. Many expressed their deep sadness over the loss of life, as well as their anger at the rising violence that seems to be increasingly affecting young people in their city. One neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, told local media outlets, “This is not something that should be happening in our community, especially not to kids. These were just teenagers—they had their whole lives ahead of them.”
The Schenectady City School District issued a statement following the news of Dubar Knowles’ death, offering condolences to his family and pledging to provide support to students who may be struggling to cope with the tragedy. Grief counselors were made available to students and staff at Schenectady High School, where the news of Knowles’ death spread quickly the next morning. Teachers and administrators spoke of Knowles as a bright, kind-hearted student who was well-liked by his peers.
Schenectady Police Chief Eric Clifford held a press conference in the days following the shooting, where he appealed to the public for assistance in solving the case. “We are working tirelessly to bring those responsible for this senseless act of violence to justice,” Clifford said. “We urge anyone with information, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, to come forward and help us ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
The chief emphasized that solving this case would require the cooperation of the community, particularly given the number of people present at the party that night. Detectives believe that some individuals may have witnessed key aspects of the shooting or know the identities of the suspects but have been reluctant to come forward out of fear of retaliation. To address these concerns, police have reassured potential witnesses that they can submit tips anonymously through the department’s tips line or through Crime Stoppers.
As the investigation continues, the broader issue of gun violence in Schenectady and similar cities has come under renewed scrutiny. Community leaders have called for increased efforts to prevent violence among young people, particularly in light of the rise in shootings involving teenagers. Advocates for stricter gun control measures have pointed to this case as yet another example of why reforms are necessary to keep firearms out of the hands of those who should not have access to them.
Meanwhile, Dubar Knowles’ family is left to mourn the loss of a beloved son and brother. Family members have described Dubar as a loving, energetic young man with a bright future ahead of him. His death has not only devastated his immediate family but has also had a ripple effect throughout the wider community. Friends and classmates have taken to social media to express their grief, sharing memories of Dubar and calling for justice in his name.
A memorial vigil for Dubar was organized in the days following the shooting, drawing hundreds of attendees from across the city. Mourners gathered at the site of the shooting, lighting candles and leaving flowers in his memory. The somber event was a stark reminder of the impact that gun violence has on communities, particularly when the victims are as young as Dubar. Speakers at the vigil called for peace and unity, urging an end to the cycle of violence that has claimed too many young lives.
As the investigation progresses, the Schenectady Police Department continues to request the public’s help. Detectives are actively following leads, reviewing surveillance footage, and conducting interviews, but they stress that more information is needed. Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to call the department’s tips line at 518-788-6566 or to submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.
The death of Dubar Knowles marks a painful chapter for the city of Schenectady, one that underscores the urgent need for solutions to the complex problems of gun violence and youth safety. As his family prepares to say their final goodbyes, the community is left grappling with difficult questions about how to prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future. For now, the city mourns the loss of a young life taken far too soon, and the search for justice continues.
